1R  .1 


HISTORY 


OF   THE 


tafaifff, 

$  * 


0.    S.    -A.. 


BALTIMORE : 

KELLY,  PIET  &  COMPANY. 

1870. 


.  5 


W3 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1870,  by 

GEORGE  WISE, 
In  tho  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  tn«  United  States  for  tlio  District  of  Maryland. 


With  emotions  of  affectionate  sadness,  this  little  volume 
is  dedicated  to  the  imperishable  memoiy  of  those  who 
yielded  up  their  lives,  though  vainly,  upon  the  altar  of 
Southern  Liberty. 


$198274: 


Alexandria,  May  iS///,  1870. 
Mr.  Gee.  Wise,  Dear  Sir: — 

We  take  pleasure  in  vouching  for  the 
correctness  of  facts  and  incidents  (as  far  as  our  memory 
serves  its})  compiled  in  your  History  of  the  Seventeenth 
Virginia  Infantry  during  the  late  war,  t/ie  matter  having 
been  carefully  compiled,  as  we  know,  from  official  reports, 
and  diaries  kept  by  members  of  the  Regiment. 
Wishing  you  much  success  from  its  publication, 

We  are  yours  truly, 

Signed: 

M.  D.  Corse,  - 

Late  Brig.  Gen.  C.  S.  A. 

Morton  Marye, 

Late  Col.  nth  Fa.,  Infantry,  C.  S.  A. 

Arthur  Herbert ', 

Jjate  Col.  11th  Fa.,  Infantry,  C.  S.  A. 


»T  is  that  the  friends  of  the  Seventeenth  Virginia  Regiment 
may  have   a  reliable   chronicle   of  many  of  the  ups  and 
downs  through  which  it  passed  during  the  four  years'  War, 
that  the   ensuing  pages  have   been   laid  open  for  publi 
cation  . 

Upon  its  imperfections  in  a  literary  point  of  view  I  shall  not 
comment,  but  of  those  so  far  more  competent  to  such  work,  I  ask 
that  the  intentions  of  the  heart  may  be  remembered,  and  their  criti 
cisms  tempered  with  mercy. 

The  Regimental  Muster  Roll  attached  is  as  comprehensive  as  it 
has  been  practicable  to  make  it,  though  still  incomplete,  which  is 
a  source  of  regret,  for  the  desire  is  to  omit  none  who  deserve  men 
tion.  How  many  familiar  faces  arise  before  the  mind's  eye  asso 
ciated  with  scenes  of  unfailing  interest  as  we  review  that  catalogue  i 
A  smile  involuntarily  comes  as  we  glance  upon  some  name  in 
separably  associated  with  a  merry-hearted,  fun-loving  temperament; 
at  the  next  perhaps,  the  heart  is  bowed  in  sadness  that  but  the 
name  and  memory  alone  remain  of  one  so  gifted  in  all  the  attri 
butes  of  noble  manhood. 


OF  THE 


Seventeenth  Virginia  Infantry,  C.  S.  A 


ALEXANDRIA. 


THE  autumn  of  1860  found  the  good  old  city  of 
Alexandria,  Va.,  enjoying  its  usual  business  pros 
perity  and  a  characteristic  hopefulness  of  "a  better  time 
coming."  Soon  the  great  tide  of  disquiet,  arising  from 
political  differences  between  the  Northern  and  South 
ern  sections  of  our  country,  cast  its  waves  upon  our 
shores,  producing  in  the  minds  of  our  little  community 
emotions  as  varied  as  they  are  indescribable. 

Frequent  meetings  were  held,  where  the  signs  of  the 
times  were  discussed  and  sentiments  expressed  for  or 
against  the  probabilities  of  a  disunion  of  the  States. 
The  city  volunteer  companies :  "  Alexandria  Rifle 
men  "  and  "  Mount  "Vernon  Guards,"  revived  the 
"  drill  "  and  added  many  members  to  their  respective 
corps.  On  the  6th  December,  the  "Old  Dominion 


8  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Rifles/7  composed  of  the  "  bone  and  sinew  "  of  the 
remaining  youth  of  our  city,  was  organized,  and  every 
exertion  made  to  render  it,  as  it  subsequently  became, 
the  honored  helpmeet  of  its  senior  military  confreres. 

Our  well-known  and  well-loved  townsman,  M.  D. 
Corse,  was  elected  captain.  This  high-toned,  courteous 
gentleman,  having  served  through  the  United  States 
war  with  Mexico,  was  considered  eminently  fitted  for 
the  position. 

All  that  could  be  done  to  prepare  for  the  emergency 
was  executed  with  promptness  and  energy.  The 
"  John  Brown  Raid,"  so  well  known  to  history,  had 
left  its  impression  on  the  minds  of  our  quiet  people  > 
the  volunteer  companies  of  the  city  had  tasted  of 
"  camp  life  "  during  their  sojourn  at  Harper's  Ferry 
in  October,  and,  returning,  gave  their  influence  to  the 
stirring  events  then  transpiring.  Much  was  to  be 
accomplished,  and  citizen  and  soldier  lent  their  aid  to 
the  work  of  military  organizations. 

Early  in  February,  1861,  the  Alexandria  Battalion 
having  been  organized,  Captain  Corse  was  elected  its 
major,  and  First  Lieut.  A.  Herbert  succeeded  to  the 
command  of  the  "  Old  Dominion  Rifles."  The  quota 
of  troops  furnished  by  old  Alexandria  to  the  Battalion 
was  composed  of  the  following  companies  :  Alexandria 
Riflemen,  Captain  Morton  Maryc;  Old  Dominion 
Rifles,  Captain  A.  Herbert;  Mount Vernon  Guards, 
Captain  S.  H.  Devaughn ;  Alexandria  Artillery, 
Captain  D.  Kcmpcr. 

The  22d  of  February  was  properly  commemorated 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  9 

by  the  general  turnout  of  citizens,  soldiers  and  fire 
companies,  in  honor  to  the  "  Father  of  his  Country." 
Much  enthusiasm  was  evinced ;  addresses  suitable  to 
the  occasion  were  delivered  by  Messrs.  K.  Kemper, 
H.  Snowden  and  others  to  a  large  concourse  of  atten 
tive  listeners. 

The  fall  of  Fort  Suinter,  and  the  stirring  events 
rapidly  transpiring  in  the  South,  having  occasioned 
great  excitement  and  alarm,  it  was  deemed  expedient^ 
(in  order  to  allay  somewhat  these  feelings  in  the.  people, 
and  to  strengthen  the  tone  of  military  power  for  the 
protection  of  life  and  property,)  to  call  out  a  guard. 
On  the  18th  April,  1861,  the  Battalion  met  at  its 
armory  and  the  first  guard  was  detailed.  This  step 
was  hailed  by  all  with  satisfaction.  On  the  23d,  a 
picket  detail  in  charge  of  Lieut.  W.  H.  Fowle,  Jr., 
of  the  Old  Dominion  Eifles,  was  sent  out  upon  the 
Washington  and  Alexandria  turnpike. 

Leaving  the  city  after  dark,  the  detachment  pro 
ceeded  to  the  Little  Bridge,  and,  posting  the  reserve  at 
that  point,  continued  the  line  along  the  pike  to  the 
intersection  of  the  two  roads  south  of  the  Long  Bridge. 

The  post  at  this  point  was  occupied  by  Sergeant  K. 
and  Corporal  W.  of  Lieut.  Fowle's  company,  and  was 
the  only  infantry  post  ever  stationed  by  the  Confederates 
so  near  to  Washington  city. 

Yankee  infantry,  with  several  pieces  of  artillery, 
being  stationed  on  the  Long  Bridge,  the  order  was 
given  the  Southern  pickets  to  watch  them  closely  and 
report  their  movements. 


10  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Great  excitement  prevailed  throughout  the  country, 
and  volunteer  troops  were  everywhere  enrolling,  pre 
paratory  to  the  organization  of  a  new  confederation, 
in  which  the  Southern  States  might  hope  to  preserve 
their  institutions  from  further  interference,  and  guard 
against  encroachment  upon  their  rights,  by  Northern 
fanatics  and  politicians.  The  election  of  Abraham 
Lincoln,  as  the  candidate  of  the  ultra  Abolition  party, 
hastened  the  severance  of  the  tie  between  the  South 
and  a  people  whose  objects,  aims  andprinciples  were  so 
utterly  antagonistic  to  their  own. 

Virginia  convened  her  statesmen  in  the  Capitol  at 
Richmond  to  determine  upon  the  course  most  consistent 
with  her  principles  and  dignity,  as  the  "  Old  Mother 
State/7  whilst  her  soldiery  strained  every  nerve  to  be 
ready  for  the  worst. 

Alexandria  and  the  roads  leading  therefrom  were 
daily  and  nightly  patroled,  and  every  available  means 
used  to  prevent  surprise  from  the  Federal  troops  sta 
tioned  at  Washington. 

A  telegram  received  the  latter  part  of  April,  from 
the  commander  at  Culpeper  C.  H.,  to  send  the  "  Bat 
tery  up  at  once,"  was,  through  a  mistake  of  the  opera 
tor,  construed  into  "  Battalion  -"  so  off  the  companies 
were  hurried  to  the  depot  in  a  heavy,  driving  rain 
storm,  and,  in  due  time,  reached  their  destination,  where 
the  mistake  was  soon  rectified  and  we  returned  to  our 
old  headquarters. 

Early  in  May  the  Old  Dominion  Rifles,  having  been 
ordered  to  take  charge  of  commissary  stores  in  the  hos- 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  1XFANTRY.  H 

pitable  town  of  Warrenton,  passed  two  weeks  there, 
upon  duty,  most  agreeably,  when  they  were  recalled  to 
Alexandria.  A  good  deal  of  excitement  arose  about 
this  time  from  the  sudden  appearing  of  the  gunboat 
"  Pawnee,"  which  anchored  in  front  of  Alexandria, 
with  ports  open,  and  guns  bearing  upon  the  town. 

Her  purpose  could  only  be  conjectured,  and  the  emo 
tions  produced  thereby  were  anything  but  pleasurable. 

The  23d  of  May  arrived  ;  the  polls  wrerc  opened,  and 
an  almost  unanimous  vote  for  secession  was  taken — 
night  closed  upon  the  city — the  citizens,  deep  in  slum 
ber,  dreamed  not  of  what  the  morrow  would  bring — the 
sound  of  the  sentinel's  tread  and  the  oft-repeated  cry  of 
"All's  well,"  were  the  sole  interruptions  to  the  calm  of 
the  midnight  hour. 

Merrill,  the  sentinel  on  duty  at  Cazenove's  wharf, 
keeping  a  sharp  watch  upon  the  movements  of  the 
"Pawnee,"  caught  the  sound  of  creaking  oars,  and, 
through  the  faint  glimmer  of  the  dawning  day,  beheld 
the  outlines  of  a  boat  coming  quietly  towards  him. 
The  challenge,  "  Who  comes  there  ?"  is  thrice  repeated, 
and  the  sharp  report  of  the  sentinel's  rifle  awakes  the 
neighboring  housetop  pigeons,  and  gives  the  alarm  to 
the  soldiers  on  guard  ;  a  volley  from  the  boat,  aimed  at 
the  sentinel,  drowned  the  rifle's  echo,  but  did  no  further 
damage. 

A  flag  of  truce  from  the  enemy  was  received  by  Col 
onel  Terrett,  then  in  command  of  the  city,  and,  after 
consultation  with  the  civil  authorities,  terms  were 
agreed  upon  for  its  surrender ;  a  specified  time  being 


12  HISTORY  OF  TUB 

promised  for  the  withdrawal  of  the  Confederate  troops. 
Long,  however,  before  the  expiration  of  said  time,  the 
enemy's  forces  were  landing  upon  the  wharves.  Orders 
were  at  once  issued  for  our  companies  to  assemble  at 
the  Lyceum  Hall,  the  point  previously  designated  as 
our  "  rendezvous." 

The  Battalion  assembled,  and  there  being  no  time  for 
farewells  to  the  numerous  friends,  most  of  whom  were 
asleep  in  their  beds,  we  marched  out  Duke  street  and 
took  the  Little  River  Turnpike  westward,  the  enemy, 
at  the  same  time,  entering  the  city  from  transports  lying 
at  the  wharves,  and  by  column  from  the  Washington 
and  Alexandria  Turnpike,  down  which  they  had 
inarched  during  the  night. 

Through  an  oversight,  the  "  Old  Dominion  Rifles'7 
failed  to  receive  the  order  to  march,  and  came  near 
sharing  the  fate  of  Captain  Ball's  Cavalry,  who,  acting 
as  rear  guard  to  our  forces,  were  captured,  and,  after 
some  months'  close  imprisonment,  paroled  as  prisoners 
of  war.  Captain  Herbert,  hearing  musketry  below, 
called  his  men  into  line  and  started  at  once  for  the 
point  from  whence  the  sounds  proceeded.  The  Battal 
ion  was  marching  out  Duke  as  the  company  reached 
the  intersection  of  King  and  West  streets,  where,  the 
Major  recognizing  it,  a  halt  was  ordered,  and  the  Old 
Dominions  soon  joined  the  column. 

Among  the  Federal  troops,  who  entered  Alexandria 
at  an  early  hour,  was  a  regiment  of  Zouaves  under  the 
command  of  Colonel  Ellsworth;  this  officer,  with  a 
portion  of  his  command,  proceeded  to  the  Marshall 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  13 

House  to  remove  therefrom  the  "  Stars  and  Bars"  of  the 
new  Confederacy,  which  were  floating  above  it  on  the 
morning  breeze.     After  taking  from  the  staff  the,  to 
them,  obnoxious  flag,  they  turned  to  retrace  their  steps, 
the  Colonel,  in  advance,  bearing  in  his  arms  his  trophy ; 
as  they  reached  the  foot  of  the  attic  steps,  they  were 
met  by  Jackson,  the  proprietor  of  the  hotel  and  owner 
of  their  booty.     Aroused  from  sleep  by  the  announce 
ment  of  the  enemy's  presence,  he  had  dressed  hastily, 
and  hurried,  armed  with  a  double-barrelled  shot  gun, 
to  the  rescue  of  the  beloved  flag  he  had  sworn  to  pro 
tect  at  all  hazards.     In  the  foeman's  grasp  he  found 
it ;  an  instant  later  and  Colonel  Ellsworth  fell  bleeding 
in  death.     Jackson,  seizing  in  his  grasp  the  new-born 
banner,  folded  it  around  his  person,  ere  he  sank  life 
less  from  the  balls  and  bayonets  of  the  dying  Colonel's 
companions.     Thus,  within  the  space  of  a  few  seconds/ 
the  souls  of  two  brave  men  were  hurried  into  eternity; 
one  actuated  by  ambition,  the  other  a  defender  of  the 
ensign  adopted  by  his  country. 

Let  us  again  join  the  retreating  Battalion,  which,  on 
reaching  the  tollgate,  a  mile  or  more  from  the  city,, 
learned  that  a  report  was  in  circulation  to  the  effect 
that  a  squadron  of  cavalry  were  in  pursuit.  Our 
Major  immediately  halted  the  column  and  gave  the 
order  to  "fix  bayonets;"  after  waiting  a  short  time, 
the  rumor  proved  false,  and  we  again  moved  on. 

Soon,  the  welcome  sound  of  the  car-whistle  reached 
our  ears,  and  striking  for  the  O.  and  A.  R.  K,  track,, 
we  had  the  pleasure  of  stopping  the  trains  moving, 
2. 


14  HISTORY  OF  THE 

towards  Alexandria.  But  little  time  was  consumed 
in  occupying  the  "  Flats/'  and  the  Battalion  was  pushed 
back  to  Manassas  where  many  friends  from  various 
quarters  awaited  us. 

But  oh !  how  sad  the  thought  to  many  a  weary 
heart  as  it  turns  once  more  to  that  memorable  24th  of 
May,  1861 ! 

The  husband  was  seen  for  the  last  time,  through  the 
gray,  misty  morning,  trudging  under  the  weight  of 
his  knapsack  and  musket,  and,  with  eye  turned  upward 
to  the  open  casement,  received  the  wife's  last  smile, 
and  saw,  perhaps,  her  eye's  first  tear,  as  a  farewell 
never  to  be  repeated. 

The  son  lingered  not  to  receive  a  mother's  blessing, 
but  hurried  on  to  scenes  of  death  and  blood.  Alas  [ 
many  are  the  mounds  that  mark  the  spots  where  only 
the  dust  of  those  numerous  manly  forms  are  to  be 
found,  and  many  are  the  hearts  that  mourn,  aye  ! 
mourn,  and  cannot  be  comforted ! 

Those  unspoken  farewells  will  never  now  be  uttered; 
but  in  the 

"  Beautiful  land 
By  the  spoiler  untrod,' ' 

there  wrill  be  joyful  reunion  for  many  who  met  for 
the  last  time  on  that  memorable  morning. 

Our  troops  were  concentrating  at  Manassas  ;  a  few 
tents  were  pitched,  and  several  companies  were  quartered 
in  plank  houses,  built  for  the  purpose,  affording  shelter, 
secure  from  the  weather.  Not  expecting  the  Alexan 
dria  Battalion  so  soon,  no  arrangements  had  been  made 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY. 


15 


for  our  comfort ;  and  we  were  left  to  take  care  of  our 
selves.  The  first  night  was  spent  in  the  box  cars 
standing  near  by,  the  men  retiring  to  rest  without 
blankets  or  covering,  and  supper  less ;  yet  not  a  murmur 
was  heard  from  any,  and  the  night  passed  in  apparent 
comfort.  All  were  in  good  spirits  ;  we  had  voluntarily 
linked  our  fate  with  that  of  the  young  Confederacy, 
to  share  her  sorrows,  and  go  hand  in  hand  through 
the  coming  bitter  trials. 

When  the  bright  sun,  on  the  morning  of  the  25th 
of  May,  first  peeped  through  the  haziness  above  Man- 
assas,  it  shone  upon  the  long  train  of  motionless  cars 
with  its  scores  of  sleeping  forms  and  hosts  of  hungry, 
homeless  soldiers,  unprovided  for  in  any  respect,  save 
that  each  man's  cartridge  box  contained  two  rounds  of 
ammunition.  Yet  many,  it  may  be  readily  believed, 
gave  no  thought  of  what  was  to  become  of  them  in 
dividually. 


16  HISTORY  OF  THE 


MANASSAS. 

MAY  and  June  passed  rapidly.  Great  activity  in  both 
the  North  and  the  South  was  evinced.  The  ranks 
of  the  opposing  armies,  one  concentrating  at  Manassas, 
the  other  at  "Washington  city,  were  being  rapidly  in 
creased,  and  extensive  preparations  were  made  for  the 
Doming  struggle.  The  streets  and  by-ways  of  the  Federal 
Capitol  were  crowded  with  companies  and  regiments 
of  the  enemy,  coming  in  to  await  the  orders  of  their 
chieftain,  while  the  roll  of  drums  and  lively  airs  *of 
fifes  fell  harshly  upon  the  Southern  ear,  detained,  by 
force  of  circumstances,  in  their  proximity. 

The  South  sent  forth  her  sons,  the  youth  and  flower 
of  her  firesides,  to  take  up  arms  in  defence  of  her  rights, 
whilst  every  practicable  preparation  was  made  to 
present  a  bold  front  and  deal  a  heavy  blow  when  the 
hour  of  conflict  should  arrive.  The  forces  at  Manassas, 
at  first  but  few  in  number,  and  many  of  those  without 
the  necessary  arm  of  defence,  were  rapidly  augmenting 
by  daily  arrivals  from  all  parts  of  the  South.  Bustle 
and  activity  at  the  station  were  increasing,  and  each 
hour  added  new  strength  to  the  hearts  and  spirits  of 
the  soldiers  present.  New  tents,  and  all  the  necessary 
paraphernalia  for  an  army,  were  fully  supplied ;  the 
comfort  and  health  of  the  men  were  remembered  and 
well  cared  for  by  those  in  command. 

The  Alexandria  companies,  belonging  to  the  Alex 
andria  Battalion,  were  fully  equipped,  and  presented 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  17 

on  parade  a  very  creditable  appearance.  Guard  duty, 
drills,  details  for  cleaning  camp,  cutting  wood  and 
bringing  water,  were  among  the  daily  duties,  upon 
which  our  boys  grew  fat  and  thriving.  The  gay 
songs  and  amusing  incidents,  so  common  to  a  soldier's 
life,  kept  us  all  in  fine  spirits,  and  were  sources  of 
pleasure  in  helping  to  beguile  time  of  its  monotony. 

Several  companies  from  the  Battalion  were  sent  on 
duty  to  the  stations  below,  and  were  watching  the 
enemy  during  a  part  of  May  and  June. 

On  the  10th  day  of  June,  1861,  the  17th  Virginia 
Regiment  was  organized,  being  composed  of  the  follow 
ing  companies : 

Alexandria  Riflemen,  Co.  A,  Capt.  M.  Marye;  War 
ren  Rifles,  Co.  B,  Capt.  R,  II.  Simpson;  Loudoun 
Guards,  Co.  C,  Capt.  C.  B.  Tebbs ;  Fairfax  Rifles,  Co. 

D,  Capt.  W.  H.  Dulany ;  Mount  Yernon  Guards,  Co. 

E,  Capt.  S.  II.  Devaughn  ;  Prince  William  Rifles,  Co. 

F,  Capt.   G.  S.  Hamilton;  Emmett  Guards,  Co.  G, 
Capt.   Jas.  E.  Towson ;  Old  Dominion  Rifles,  Co.  H, 
Cipt.   A.  Herbert;  O'Connel  Guards,  Co.  I,  Capt,  S. 
W.  Prcstman ;    Warrenton  Rifles,  Co.  K,  Capt.  B.  II. 
Shackelford ;  Colonel,  M.  D.  Corse ;  Lt.  Colonel,  Wm. 
Munford ;  and  Major,  Geo.  W.  Brent,  who  had  been 
commissioned  by  the  Governor  of  Virginia,  were  assign 
ed  the  command  of  the  regiment ;  M.  M.  Levns,  M.  D., 
was  appointed  Surgeon  ;  H.  Snowdcn,  M.  D.,  Assistant 
Surgeon ;    Lieut,  A.  J.  Humphreys,  Co.  A,  Adjutant, 
and  W.  W.  Athey,  Co.  C,  Sergeant  Major. 

9* 


18  HISTORY  OF  TEE 

Companies  G  and  I  formed  after  the  beginning  of 
hostilities,  and  were  composed  of  Irish  citizens  from 
Alexandria,  Va.  The  Alexandria  Riflemen,  the  Old 
Dominion  Rifles,  and  the  Mount  Vernon  Guards,  were, 
as  we  have  before  stated,  volunteer  companies,  formed 
in  Alexandria,  Va.,  prior  to  the  crisis.  The  other  five 
companies  were  volunteer  organizations  bearing  the 
names  of  their  respective  origin. 

The  Warrenton  Rifles  lost  its  first  captain,  John  Q. 
Marr,  in  a  skirmish  at  Fairfax  C.  H.,  on  the  1st  day 
of  June,  and  B.  H.  Shackelford  was  elected  as  his  suc 
cessor.  This  company,  under  Captain  John  Q.  Marr, 
was  stationed  at  Fairfax  C.  H  ,  to  act  in  conjunction 
with  the  Rappahannock  and  Prince  William  Cavalry, 
in  defence  of  that  town.  On  the  morning  of  June  1st, 
before  daylight,  a  force  of  Federal  cavalry  made  a  rapid 
descent  upon  them,  hoping,  by  the  rapidity  of  the  move 
ment,  to  find  the  Confederates  off  their  guard.  In  this, 
however,  they  were  mistaken ;  in  passing  through  the 
^.own  at  the  rate  described,  firing  to  the  right  and  left 
indiscriminately,  they  aroused  the  sleeping  inhabitants, 
and  by  the  time  they  had  halted  beyond  and  prepared 
for  a  return  charge,  the  Rifles  were  ready  to  meet  them. 
During  the  advance,  Captain  Marr  had  moved  off  a 
short  distance,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  a  position  for 
his  company ;  his  voice  was  not  heard  thereafter,  and 
from  what  information  could  be  gathered,  it  is  judged 
that  he  fell  from  the  first  fire  of  the  enemy.  In  the 
meantime,  General  Ewell,  who  was  severely  wounded, 
and  Ex-Go v.  Win.  Smith,  both  of  whom  happened  to 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY..       19 

be  passing  the  night  in  the  town,  had  taken  charge  of 
the  Rifles,  to  all  of-  whom  they  were  well  known,  and 
deploying  them  along  the  main  street  in  the  Court  House 
lot,  met  and  repulsed  the  second  charge  of  the  enemy. 
Two  other  attempts  were  made  to  force  a  passage, 
neither  of  which,  from  the  determination  of  our  brave 
Fauquier  boys,  proved  effectual.  After  the  departure 
of  the  enemy,  it  was  found  that  the  beloved  Marr  had 
fallen. 

The  Regiment  was  attached  to  the  4th  Virginia  Brig* 
ade,  commanded  by  General  J»  T.  Longstreet,  and  was 
generally  known  as  the  "Alexandria  Regiment." 

The  camp  at  Manassas  Junction  was  much  enlarged 
by  the  daily  arrival  of  additional  troops ;  it  received 
the  name  of  "  Camp  Pickcns,"  in  honor  of  the  brave 
General  Pickens,  of  S.  C. 

General  G.  T.  Beauregard  arrived  at  Manassas  on 
the  1st  day  of  June,  and  was  placed  in  command  of  the 
army ;  the  month  passed  in  making  the  position  as  im 
pregnable  as  possible.  The  work,  in  charge  of  Colonel 
Williamson,  his  chief  of  engineers,  progressed  rapidly; 
large  earthworks  and  field  fortifications,  with  wings 
and  covers  of  rifle  pits,  and  infantry  works,  sprang  up 
on  all  sides.  Details  from  the  different  regiments  in 
camp  were  daily  employed  in  digging  and  ditching. 
Many  of  the  troops,  who  were  reared  in  all  the  lux 
ury  of  affluence,  rendered  themselves  valuable  in  their 
active  wielding  of  spade  and  axe. 

Company  C  (Loudoun  Guards)  was  deprived  of  its 
gallant  captain,  Chas.  B.  Tebbs,  on  the  1st  day  of  July, 


20  HISTORY  OF  Tttfl 

he  having  received  a  commission  as  Lieutenant  Col 
onel,  and  assigned  to  the  8th  Virginia  Regiment.  Geo. 
E.  Head,  1st  Lieutenant,  was  then  promoted  to  the 
captaincy  of  the  Company. 

For  several  days  before  the  13th  of  July,  it  was  gen 
erally  known  that  the  enemy  were  moving  against  us ; 
and  every  effort  was  made  by  the  General  in  command 
to  prepare  his  troops  for  battle ;  extra  details  were 
made,  the  works  around  Manassas  strengthened,  and 
the  16th  and  17th  of  July  were  busy,  truly  busy  days, 
in  the  fullest  signification  of  the  term. 

Couriers  were  flying  in  every  direction,  delivering 
orders ;  and  on  the  last  named  day,  the  infantry,  in 
cluding  the  17th  Ya.  Regiment,  marched  to  their  re 
spective  places,  in  line,  on  the  banks  of  Bull  Run. 

The  men  were  in  excellent  spirits,  and  impatiently 
awaited  the  coming  of  the  foe.  The  morning  of  the 
18th  of  July  opened  beautifully  upon  the  Confederate 
line  of  infantry  and  artillery,  stretched  along  the  west 
bank  of  Bull  Run. 

About  one  o'clock  the  enemy  advanced  and  attacked 
Longstreet's  Brigade,  stationed  at  Blackburn's  Ford. 

Extracts,  from  the  report,  as  made  by  our  Colonel, 
will  give  the  part  sustained  by  our  Regiment,  and  show 
the  valor  and  veteran  bearing  of  the  raw  soldiers  on 
their  first  battle  field. 

"  In  pursuance  of  orders,  the  rifle  Companies  B  and 
H,  commanded  by  Captains  Simpson  and  Herbert,  were 
deployed  as  skirmishers  along  the  right  bank  of  Bull 
Run,  above  Blackburn's  Ford,  whilst  Companies  A 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  21 

and  G,  commanded  by  Captains  Marye  and  Towson, 
were  posted  at  the  Ford.  Companies  E  and  K,  under 
Captains  Devaughn  and  Shackelford,  were  detached 
and  posted  lower  down  the  run,  on  the  right  of  the 
First  Virginia  Regiment." 

"  About  one  o'clock  P.  M.  the  enemy  appeared  in 
considerable  force  on  the  opposite  bank,  and  opened  a 
severe  and  continuous  fire  upon  the  First  and  Seven 
teenth  Regiments.  At  this  moment,  the  remaining 
companies  of  the  Regiment  were  marched  to  the  run, 
and  responded  briskly  and  gallantly  to  the  enemy's 
fire.  Company  A,  Captain  Marye,  was  then  ordered 
to  cross  the  run,  and  deploy  as  skirmishers  on  the 
opposite  bank ;  Company  C,  Captain  Head,  and  Com 
pany  F,  Captain  Hamilton,  were  subsequently  ordered 
to  cross  also,  and  sustain  this  movement.  The  three 
companies  promptly  executed  these  orders,  and  after 
bravely  driving  the  enemy  through  the  woods,  back 
to  their  main  body,  returned,  bringing  their  own 
wounded  and  seven  prisoners.  Some  fifteen  or  more 
of  the  enemy  were  killed  and  many  wounded." 

"  It  affords  me  much  gratification  to  remark  upon  the 
coolness  and  bravery  manifested  by  both  officers  and 
men  under  my  command." 

"  Particularly  I  must  speak  of  the  gallant  conduct 
of  Lieut.  Col.  Munford,  Maj.  Brent,  Adjutant  Hum 
phreys,  Captain  Marye  and  Captain  Head,  who  wrere 
actively  and  fearlessly  employed  during  the  engage 
ment  at  the  points  where  the  fire  was  hottest." 

"  I  must  also  mention  Surgeon  Lewis  and  assistant 


22  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Surgeon  Snowden,  who  were  untiring  in  their  efforts  to 
relieve  the  wounded,  regardless  of  their  personal  safety. 
I  regret  to  add  that  Captains  Dulany  and  Prestman 
were  severely  wounded  whilst  at  the  head  of  their 
companies.  Captain  Shackelford,  commanding  Com 
pany  K,  and  Lieut.  Javins,  of  Company  E,  were  slightly 
wounded.  Private  Thomas  R.  Sangster,  Company  A 
was  killed,  and  four  privates  severely,  and  six  slightly 
wounded." 

List  of  killed  and  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Black 
burn's  Ford,  July  18th,  1861. 

Company  A— Killed,  Private  T.  R.  Sangster; 
wounded,  A.  D.  Warfield,  slightly. 

Company  B — None, 

Company  C — Wounded,  Ed.  Donnelly,  flesh  wound ; 
C.  G.  Edwards,  dangerously ;  J.  W.  Sexton,  lost  leg. 

Company  D— Wounded,  Capt.  Win.  H.  Dulany, 
dangerously  ;  Privates  W.  H.  Steele,  Thos.  Beake  and 
B.  Thomas,  slightly. 

Company  E — Wounded,  Lieut.  C.  Javins,  slightly ; 
Privates  Jas.  A.  Proctor  and  Geo.  W.  Tyles,  slightly. 

Company  F — None. 

Company  G — Wounded,  Private  Win.  MeKcown, 
slightly. 

Company  H— Wounded,  Private  John  Withers, 
slightly. 

Company  I — Wounded,  Capt.  S.  W.  Prestman,  dan 
gerously  ;  Private  Dennis  Murphy,  lost  arm. 

Company  K — Wounded,  Capt.  B.  H.  Shackelford, 
slightly ;  Private  A.  G.  Sinclair,  badly. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  23 

Friday,  19th,  and  part  of  Saturday,  passed  without 
change,  the  Regiment  being  held  in  reserve  during  the 
time.  On  Saturday,  the  20th,  they  again  occupied  the 
line  near  Blackburn's  Ford.  On  Sunday,  the  21st  of 
July,  1861,  the  first  great  battle  in  our  struggle  was 
fought,  and,  though  our  Regiment  was  not  actively  en 
gaged,  it  faithfully  performed  its  duty,  and  was  under 
heavy  artillery  fire  a  greater  part  of  the  day. 

A  lovelier  Sabbath  morning  never  shone  than  that 
of  the  21st  July,  1861.  The  enemy's  movements  fore 
told  another  conflict,  but  more  sanguinary  and  im 
portant  in  its  results.  Their  artillery  opened  at  an  early 
hour  from  the  different  points  along  their  line,  while 
their  main  forces  were  massing  on  our  extreme  left, 
preparatory  to  a  heavy  assault  upon  our  flank.  Cross 
ing  at  Sudley  Mills,  they  bore  clown  upon  the  South 
Carolina  troops  stationed  near  the  Stone  Bridge  for 
the  protection  of  our  flank,  and,  hurling  with  terrific 
force  a  large  body  of  troops  against  them,  succeeded  in 
forcing  back  our  line  at  that  point. 

Reinforcements  were  sent  to  the  rescue  of  the  brave 
Bee  and  his  men,  and  for  hours  the  battle  raged. 
Success  varied :  first  one  and  then  the  other  was  forced 
back,  until  the  few  Southern  troops,  fighting  against 
such  fearful  odds,  became  exhausted. 

At  this  critical  moment,  the  cry :  "  The  Valley 
Boys  have  come,"  arose,  and  spread  like  wildfire  and 
with  marvelous  effect ;  our  men  by  desperate  exertion 
held  their  position  until  Johnston's  army  came  in  to  the 
rescue.. 


24  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Fresh  and  ready  for  the  "  fray/'  they  rushed  onward, 
carrying  all  before  them.  Yells  of  triumph  from  the 
wounded,  as  well  as  from  the  uninjured,  rent  the  air, 
sending  a  thrill  of  joy  to  the  hearts  of  the  approaching 
army.  After  the  severest  fighting  of  the  day,  our  foes 
were  driven  from  hill  and  dale.  Peal  after  peal  of 
victorious  shouts  followed  in  their  wake,  quickening 
their  flight. 

Our  artillery  made  dreadful  havoc  among  their  re 
treating  columns;  the  Alexandria  Artillery,  commanded 
by  Capt.  Kemper,  was  not  behind  in  the  race  towards 
Washington  city.  The  unerring  aim  of  his  gunners 
filled  many  a  narrow  home,,  now  marked  by  a  green- 
topped  mound. 

The  rout  was  perfect;  rnen,  horses,  wagons  and 
artillery  were  one  mass  of  moving  lumber,  all  bound 
for  a  haven  secure  from  the  bullets  of  the  "  Rebels," 
from  the  scenes  of  warfare.  Company  H,  commanded 
by  Capt.  Herbert,  had  been  ordered  across  the  Ford 
in  the  early  part  of  the  day,  and  was  under  a  heavy  fire 
of  canister  and  grape.  A  large  party  of  the  enemy 
attempted  to  capture  this  Company  by  stealth,  but 
failed  and  were  driven  back  with  heavy  loss.  The 
Company  had  one  killed,  viz :  Dennis  McDermot ; 
and  two  wounded,  viz :  Corporal  Jas.  E.  Grimes,  and 
Private  J.  P.  Kiley. 

Darkness  ended  the  pursuit,  and  many  of  our  army 
bivouaced  upon  the  battle  field. 

On  Thursday,  after  the  battle,  the  dead  of  the  ene 
my  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Stone  Bridge  and  Henry 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  25 

House  lay  uncovered  on  the  field,  and  the  sight  was 
heart-rending.  At  the  point  where  the  Federal  battery, 
known  as  the  "  Kicketts'  Battery/'  had  fought,  and 
bled,  and  died,  numbers  of  bodies,  both  of  man  and 
beasts,  were  still  in  the  position  in  which  they  fell,  and, 
as  may  be  readily  imagined,  the  effluvia  arising  from 
their  decomposition  was  so  great  as  to  render  it  almost 
impossible  to  remain  in  the  locality.  The  battle,  at 
this  point,  must  have  been  very  severe,  for  as  many  as 
seven  dead  bodies  were  lying  across  each  other  just  as 
they  had  fallen  on  Sunday. 

The  Confederate  losses  in  the  battle  of  the  first  Ma- 
nassas,  amounted  to  about  1,200  in  killed  and  wounded  ; 
the  enemy  lost  nearly  5,000,  including  1,700  prisoners. 
We  captured  82  pieces  of  artillery  and  a  vast  number 
of  small  arms ;  also,  wagons,  ambulances,  tents,  and 
numerous  pieces  of  different  kinds  of  army  munition* 
and  outfit. 

During  the  battle,  on  the  18th  of  July,  at  Black- 
bitrn's  Ford,  wrhen  the  fire  of  the  enemy  was  hottest 
and  damaging,  the  1st  Virginia  Regiment,  held  in  re 
serve,  General  Longstreet  commanded  Captain  Maryer 
to  take  his  company  and  "  Clear  those  scoundrels  out/** 
and  as  the  riflemen  plunged  into  the  stream  with  a. 
shout,  General  Longstreet  took  off  his  hat,  and,  rising 
in  his  stirrups,  called  for  "  three  cheers  for  the  Alex 
andria  Riflemen" — which  compliment  was  acknowl 
edged  by  a  touch  of  the  hat  by  Captain  Marye. 

The  following  incident,  which  occurred  as  given  by 
the  principal  actor,  War  field,  of  this  company,  in.  hi» 
3 


26  HISTORY  OF  THE 

own  words,  we  insert,  believing  it  will  be  of  interest  to 
our  readers : 

"  The  order  was  promptly  obeyed ;  the  company 
crossed  the  Ford  with  a  yell ;  upon  reaching  the  oppo 
site  bank,  Captain  Marye  ordered  the  company  to  de 
ploy  as  skirmishers  and  advance.  About  150  yards 
from  the  stream  we  came  upon  the  skirmishers  of  the 
1st  Massachusetts  Regiment,  stationed  behind  trees, 
bushes,  &c.  At  once  attacking  them,  we  had  a  very 
nice  time,  killing  16  of  them  and  taking  some  20  pris 
oners  ;  we  were  all  tangled  up  together,  and  the  only 
way  to  distinguish  one  from  another  was  by  the  U.  S. 
on  the  Yankee  breast-plates." 

"  In  the  conflict,  I  ordered  a  Yankee  to  surrender, 
but  he  refused.  I  grabbed  him  by  the  collar,  my 
gun  being  empty  and  his  loaded ;  he  cut  my  head  with 
the  barrel  of  his  gun.  Being  in  too  close  quarters  to 
use  our  arms,  we  clinched,  and  in  the  struggle  rolled 
down  the  hill  into  a  spring  branch,  Yank  on  top  and 
myself  in  the  mud  and  water,  face  down.  I  was  only 
relieved  from  my  disagreeable  position  by  E.,  of  the 
Loucloun  Guards,  who  came  up  at  the  time  and  gave 
Yank  his  bayonet  in  left  side ;  at  this,  Yank  hallow- 
el  '  Good  God,  Capt.  Hall,  come  here/  but  I  told  him 
that  his  hide  had  gone  up  and  that  Capt.  Hall  could  do 
him  no  good.  I  then  took  him  to  Gen.  Longstreet, 
who,  after  finding  out  who  he  was,  said  to  me  :  '  Well 
done,  old  fellow;  this  is  the  first  prisoner,  go  back  and 
get  another/  which  command  I  respectfully  declined, 
as  things  were  waxing  warm  just  about  that  time." 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  27 

We  also  insert  the  following  letter,  as  copied  from  a 
Richmond  paper,  feeling  assured  that  it  will  interest 
many  of  our  readers  : 

"A  GRAPHIC  PICTURE." 

"  We  have  been  permitted  to  copy  the  following  ex 
tracts  from  a  letter  written  by  a  young  officer  who 
greatly  distinguished  himself  at  the  battle  of  Manas- 
sas. 

"  Should  his  modesty  take  offence  at  the  publication 
of  his  frank  expressions  of  feeling  and  unreserved  nar 
ration  of  events,  our  apology  is  found  in  the  fact  that 
the  original  was  placed  at  our  disposal  by  the  courtesy 
of  those  to  whom  it  was  addressed.  The  style  is  sin 
gularly  copious,  and  the  descriptive  passages  especially 
fine ;  and  the  more  to  be  admired  when  we  reflect  that 
the  letter  .was  written,  a  la  Pope,  upon  fugitive  scraps 
of  paper,  and  currente  calamo." 

THE  NIGHT  BEFORE  THE  BATTLE. 

Saturday  night  was  spent  in  watching.  The  enemy's 
bugles,  his  drums,  the  rumble  of  his  baggage  trains 
and  artillery  ;  not  only  these,  but  their  very  words  of 
command  being  distinctly  audible  in  the  silent  night. 

The  next  morning,  partly  refreshed,  we  were  ordered 
over  the  ford,  (Bull  Run,)  as  scouts  in  that  direction. 
I  was  creeping  over  the  field  when  the  enemy  threw  a 
shell  at  my  party,  which  exploded  just  in  advance  of 


28  HISTORY  OF  THE 

us.     Here  we  passed  a  body,  one  of  the  Massachusetts 
slain,  (shot  the  day  before,)  blackened  and  ghastly. 

After  a  few  hours  we  were  ordered  to  our  reserve, 
-and,  without  breakfast,  to  deploy  as  skirmishers.  The 
first  reserve  had  been  left  in  charge  of  Willie  Fowle. 
I  led  the  second  further  on,  while  the  Captain  placed 
himself  in  the  skirt  of  the  wood,  having  established  a 
line  of  sentries.  Here  he  watched  the  enemy's  batteries, 
and  would  report  their  movements  to  the  General. 
Becoming  anxious  about  him,  I  left  my  reserve  under 
Zimmerman,  and  advanced  to  the  spot.  The  Captain 
.said:  "Don,  I  am  awfully  sleepy,  and  will  just  take 
a  little  nap,  if  you  will  watch  those  fellows  there."  I 
cheerfully  acquiesced,  and  relieved  Jordan,  one  of  our 
men,  who  was  the  actual  look-out  at  the  fence.  Here  I 
lay  on  my  face,  my  time  pleasantly  occupied  with  the 
proceedings  at  the  batteries,  the  ceaseless  explosions  of 
the  guns  and  the  rattle  of  musketry  from  the  great  fight 
below,  being  in  strange  constrast  with  the  quiet  scenery 
of  mountain  and  valleys. 

SHOWING  HOW  YANKEE  SPORTSMEN  FLUSHED  GAME 
AND  THEMSELVES  TOOK  WING. 

I  unclasped  my  sword-belt  and  yielded  myself  to 
the  seductions  of  the  scene,  and  was  startled  from  my 
almost  reverie  by  the  cry  of  Lovelace,  one  of  our  men, 
posted  on  the  right :  "  Lookout  Lieutenant !  Here  they 
are !  "  Looking  around  I  saw  their  skirmishers  within 
about  thirty  yards,  with  their  pieces  at  a  ready,  and 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  29 

advancing,  just  as  sportsmen  approach  a  covey  of 
partridges.  I  shouted  to  the  Captain,  and  we  dashed 
into  the  woods.  I  then  asked  him  if  we  should  fight 
them?  He  said,  "He  reckoned  we  had."  I  then  yelled 
to  the  boys,  "  Come  on,  Old  Dominions !  now's  your 
chance  !  now's  the  chance  you've  waited  for  !  " 

This  shout  of  mine  was  heard  by  our  forces  on  the 
other  side  of  the  run.  The  boys  say  I  said,  "  Isn't 
this  glorious  !  "  but  I  don't  remember.  On  came  the 
boys.  I  led  them,  pointed  out  the  Yankees,  and  we 
drove  them  out  of  the  woods  and  completely  put  them 
to  flight.  As  we  drove  them  into  the  field,  the  en 
emy's  battery,  about  four  hundred  yards  off,  opened 
on  us  with  grape  and  canister,  and  we  ordered  a 
retreat;  not,  however,  before  our  men  returned  it, 
firing  right  at  the  guns,  wounding,  as  I  have  since 
learned  from  a  prisoner,  several  of  their  men. 

THE  "  IRON  DICE  "  RATTLE. 

We  were  exposed  nearly  half  a  mile  without  sup 
port.  The  enemy  had  our  range  completely,  and  we 
were  in  great  peril,  the  balls  whizzing  and  humming 
all  around  us. 

Fowle,  who  had  advanced  his  reserve  and  behaved 
with  great  coolness,  says  the  line  of  skirmishers  ex 
tended  a  long  way  and  intended  to  cut  us  off;  but  we 
gave  a  yell,  and,  as  I  have  said,  drove  them  home. 

Arthur  was  too  slow  in  retreat  even  after  he  had 
given  the  order.  I  had  to  turn  back  twice  to  look  for 
3* 


30  HISTORY  OF  THE 

him.  How  the  balls  rattled !  Every  man  would 
sometimes  have  to  get  behind  a  tree  to  escape  the 
"dreadful  storm." 

.     A  SOLDIER'S  GRAVE, 

McDerrnot,  one  of  our  men,  was  killed  by  a  grape- 
shot.  On  yesterday  I  buried  him.  He  had  lain  out 
all  night,  and  our  eyes  filled  with  woman's  tears  as  we 
-covered  him  with  his  blanket,  and  left  him  to  sleep 
on  the  field  where  he  had  fallen.  Hurdle  put  a  head 
and  foot  mark  at  his  grave,  with  the  inscription  in 
pencil : 

"  Dennis  McDermot,  of  the  Old  Dominion  Rifles, 
of  Alexandria,  Va.,  died  in  battle,  July  21,  1861 ;  a 
gallant  soldier  and  a  good  man." 

THE  RETREAT  OF  THE  "  GRAXD  ARMY." 

What  a  glorious  day  Sunday  was  for  the  South ! 
When  the  rout  of  the  enemy  came  down  the  long  line 
of  Bull  Run,  (Yankee's  Run  ?  Eds.)  up  went  a  shout ! 
Oh !  how  grand  it  was !  Imagine  the  quiet  wroods 
through  which  the  watching  bayonets  glittered  silently, 
suddenly  alive  with  triumphant  hurrahs  !  From  right 
to  left,  and  left  to  right,  for  seven  miles  they  were 
repeated  1  Then  came  the  order  to  advance,  and  as 
we  left  the  woods  and  gained  the  high  and  open 
grounds,  the  grandest  spectacle  I  ever  saw  met  my 
eyes.  Company  after  company,  regiment  after  regi- 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  $]_ 

raent,  brigade  after  brigade,  army  after  army  of  our 
troops  appeared.  "We  halted  to  enjoy  the  sight,  and 
as  our  glorious  artillery  and  dashing  cavalry  spurred 
by  in  pursuit,  shout  after  shout  rent  the  air.  General 
Longstreet,  our  Brigade  Commander,  rode  along  our 
line  with  his  staff,  and  thousands  of  men  flun«-  their 

/  o 

caps  in  the  air,  or  swung  them  on  their  bayonets. 
Col.  Corse,  our  gallant  little  Colonel,  got  his  meed  of 
hurrahs ;  and  an  old  negro  who  rode  by  with  his  gun, 
got  no  small  salute.  And  then  the  sunset  came  in  a 
perfect  glory  of  light  sifted  through  the  leaves. 

The  following  extract,  from  a  letter  to  the  "  Balti 
more  Exchange,"  dated,  Alexandria,  Ya.,  July  29th, 
1861,  speaks  nobly  of  a  well-deserving  but  deceased 
comrade : 

"  In  this  battle  one  of  Alexandria's  bravest  sons  fell, 
and  in  his  fall  this  whole  community  is  sunk  in  sad 
ness.  Thomas  Sangster,  son  of  Mr.  Edward  Sang- 
ster,  lately  the  sheriff  of  this  county,  fell  pierced  by  a 
ball.  He  was  generally  known,  and,  by  all  who  knew 
him,  beloved.  For  an  entire  absence  from  anything 
like  fear  he  was  remarkable  from  a  child.  He  was  as 
kind  as  brave.  He  died  in  a  noble  cause,  and  his  mem 
ory  is  enshrined,  along  with  all  who  fell  there,  in  the 
hearts  of  a  brave  and  generous  nation." 

Now,  let  us  go  back  to  the  Regiment.  The  nights 
of  the  21st  and  22d  of  July,  were  spent  by  us  near  the 
battle  field;  and  on  the  23d  we  marched  to  Centreville 
and  went  into  camp:  whilst  there  we  performed  picket 


32  HISTORY  OF  THE 

duty  below,  besides  all  the  ordinary  camp  duties.  The 
Regiment  remained  thus  until  the  12th  day  of  August, 
when  it  moved  to  Fairfax  Court  House  and  went  into 
camp — most  of  the  army  having  preceded  it  to  that 
point. 

Whilst  near  Centreville,  the  following  beautifully 
written  order  was  issued  and  read  to  the  troops : 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  OF  THE  POTOMAC,  \ 
MANASSAS,  July  25th,  1861.     / 

Soldiers  of  the  Confederate  States  : 

One  week  ago  a  countless  host  of  men  organized  into  an  army, 
with  all  the  appointments  which  modern  art  and  practised  skill 
could  devise,  invaded  the  soil  of  Virginia.  Their  people  sounded 
their  approach  with  triumphant  displays  of  anticipated  victory. 
Their  Generals  came  in  almost  royal  state  ;  their  great  Ministers, 
Senators  and  women  came  to  witness  the  immolation  of  this  army, 
and  the  subjugation  of  our  people — and  to  celebrate  these  with 
wild  revelry. 

It  is  with  the  profoundest  emotions  of  gratitude  to  an  over-ruling 
God,  whose  hand  is  manifest  in  protecting  our  homes  and  our  lib 
erties,  that  we,  your  Generals  commanding,  are  enabled,  in  the 
name  of  our  whole  country,  to  thank  you  for  that  patriotic  courage, 
that  heroic  gallantry,  that  daring  exhibited  by  you  in  the  action  of 
the  18th  and  21st  of  July,  by  which  the  hosts  of  the  enemy  were 
scattered,  and  a  signal  and  glorious  victory  obtained. 

The  two  affairs  of  the  18th  and  21st  were  but  the  sustained  and 
continued  effort  of  your  patriotism  against  the  constantly  recurring 
columns  of  an  enemy  fully  treble  your  numbers,  and  this  effort  was 
crowned  on  the  evening  of  the  21st  with  a  victory  so  complete  that 
the  invaders  were  driven  disgracefully  from  the  field  and  made  to 
fly  in  disorderly  rout  back  to  their  entrenchments,  a  distance  of 
over  thirty  miles.  They  left  upon  the  field  nearly  every  piece  of 
their  artillery,  a  large  portion  of  their  arms,  equipments,  baggage, 
stores,  etc  ,  etc  ,  and  almost  every  one  of  their  wounded  and  dead, 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  33 

amounting,  together  with  the  prisoners,  to  many  thousands — and 
thus  the  Northern  hosts  were  driven  from  Virginia. 

Soldiers  :  We  congratulate  you  on  an  event  which  ensures  the 
liberty  of  our  Country.  We  congratulate  every  man  of  you  whose 
glorious  privilege  it  was  to  participate  in  this  triumph  of  courage 
and  truth — to  fight  in  the  battle  of  Manassas.  You  have  created  an 
epoch  of  Liberty,  and  unborn  nations  will  rise  up  and  call  you 
"blessed." 

Continue  this  noble  devotion,  looking  always  to  the  protection 
of  a  just  God,  and  before  Time  grows  much  older  we  will  be  hailed 
as  the.  Deliverers  of  a  nation  of  Ten  Millions  of  people. 

Comrades,  our  brothers  who  have  fallen  have  earned  undying  re 
nown  on  earth  ;  and  their  blood  shed  in  our  holy  cause  is  a  precious 
and  acceptable  sacrifice  to  the  Father  of  Truth  and  Right. 

Their  graves  are  beside  the  tomb  of  Washington, — their  spirits 
have  joined  his  in  eternal  communion.  We  will  hold  the  soil  in 
which  the  dust  of  Washington  is  mingled  with  the  dust  of  our 
brothers.  We  drop  one  tear  on  their  laurels,  and  move  on  to  avenge 
them. 

Soldiers  !  We  congratulate  you  on  glorious,  triumphant  and 
complete  victory.  We  thank  you  for  doing  your  whole  duty  in  the 
service  of  your  Country. 

Official  : 

Signed,  J.  E.  JOHNSTON,  Gen.  C.  S.  A. 

G.  T.  BEAUREGARD,  Gen  C.  S.  A. 

FR.  S.  ARMSTEAD,  A.  A.  A.  G 


"EXTRACT  FROM  A  LETTER." 

"  The  conduct  of  the  Alexandria  boys  in  both  battles 
is  spoken  of  in  the  highest  terms ;  and  the  charge  of 
the  Alexandria  Riflemen,  led  on  by  Captain  Morton 
Marye,  in  the  Thursday's  fight,  is  said  to  have  been 
one  of  the  most  gallant  and  splendid  military  manoeu 
vres  ever  witnessed.  Most  nobly  did  that  little  band 


34  HISTORY  OF  THE 

of  as  true  hearts  as  ever  fluttered,  advance  upon  the  foe, 
and  bearing  down  all  before  them,  lead  the  way  to  a 
quick  and  glorious  triumph.  The  old  Dominion 
Rifles,  not  a  whit  behind  their  fathers  and  brothers, 
(who  were  in  the  foremost  company)  in  courage,  desci- 
pline  and  all  that  goes  to  make  a  true  soldier,  were  in 
the  thickest  of  this  hard-fought  battle." 


SEVE^TEENTB  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  35 


FALLS  CHURCH,  UPTON'S  AND  MUNSON'S 
HILLS. 

UPON  our  arrival  in  the  vicinity  of  Fairfkx  Court 
House  the  Regiment  went  into  camp^  east  of^  and 
below  the  village,  on  the  right  bank  of  the  Alexandria" 
turnpike,  upon  a  good  location,  with  plenty  of  wood 
and  water. 

Not  many  days  after  its  arrival  Company  H  was 
sent  on  picket  duty  to  Falls  Church,  a  small  village 
about  nine  miles  east  of  Fairfax  Court  House  and 
about  the  same  distance  from  Alexandria,  Va.  This 
Company  was  the  first  Infantry  stationed  at  this  post,, 
and  had  the  pleasure  of  extending  the  lines  to  Taylor's 
Tavern  and  Rocky  Ridge,  points  about  half  a  mile 
distant  from  the  village. 

Fort,  a  Texan  scout,  with  club  feet,  but  indomitable 
energy  and  bravery,  in  command  of  ten  men  of 
Company  H,  met  the  enemy  about  150  strong,  near 
Taylor's  tavern  and,  after  expending  one  or  two 
rounds  of  ammunition,  drove  the  entire  column  from 
that  locality,  and  picketed  posts  beyond,  which  were 
held  until  our  evacuation  of  the  line  some  months 
after. 

Numbers  of  amusing  incidents,  various  hair-breadth 
escapes,  occurred  to  those  on  duty  in  that  vicinity  :  and 
the  minds  of  many  on  perusing  these  pages  will  re 
vert  to  the  early  morning  fights  between  the  pickets 
of  the  enemy  and  themselves,  over  the  little  peach 


36  HISTORY  OF  THE 

orchard  and  the  rich  gardens  below  Taylor's  tavern, 
and  to  Farley's  narrow  escape  in  the  woods  near,  when 
he  met  two  of  the  "  blue  jackets,"  and  came  near  losing 
his  life  by  a  pistol  shot  discharged  by  one  of  them. 

Early  in  September  the  lines  below  were  extended 
to  Mason's,  Munson's  and  Upton's  hills,  where  the 
points  were  guarded  by  a  few  companies  from  the 
army  lying  around  the  Court  House.  The  men  in 
camp  were  employed  in  regular  drills,  guard  duty,  &c. ; 
but  found  plenty  of  time  for  frolic  and  impromptu 
tours  between  the  hours  of  duty. 

The  bright  smiles  and  kind  words  of  patriotic  en 
couragement  from  our  sweet  lady  friends  of  that  neigh 
borhood,  whom  many  of  us  visited  whenever  oppor 
tunity  permitted,  proved  an  invaluable  antidote  to 
the  weariness  and  ennui  which  might  otherwise  have 
arisen  from  the  labor  and  monotony  of  camp  life. 

The  lines  in  front  had  been  strengthened  by  earth 
works  and  rifle  pits ;  a  strong  line  of  redoubts  encircled 
the  top  of  Munsoii's  hill,  and  heavy  wooden  guns  were 
mounted  ready  for  action.  The  enemy  did  not  trouble 
us  at  that  point,  thinking  probably  the  apparent  Fort 
was  heavily  armed  and  strongly  garrisoned.  At  Up 
ton's  hill  the  pickets  were  generally  busy  at  target 
practice,  at  each  other,  and,  for  many  weeks  the  pop, 
pop,  pop  of  their  firearms  was  of  daily  occurrence ; 
though  there  was  seldom  any  one  seriously  hurt,  some 
times  a  lucky  fellow  received  a  wound  and  was  sent 
home  rejoicing  on  a  thirty  days'  furlough. 

The  enemy  wasted  numberless  charges  of  powder 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  37 

•and  ball  at  target  practice  near  Arlington  Heights, 
while  we  were  in  that  vicinity,  until  finally  their 
noise  became  annoying. 

Lieut.  Forrest,  of  Company  H,  bade  adieu  to  the 
Regiment  on  the  15th  of  September,  to  join  General 
Trimble's  Staff  at  Evansport,  by  which  the  Command 
lost  a  good  officer,  a  courteous  gentleman,  and  a  social 
companion. 

The  total  strength  of  the  Regiment  on  the  1st  day 
September,  1861,  is  shown  by  the  following  figures : 

Present  for  duty,  665  ;  present  and  unfit  for  duty, 
80 ;  total  in  camp,  745. 

Absent  on  detached  service,  33  ;  absent  with  leave; 
4  ;  absent  without  leave,  11 ;  absent  sick  and  wounded, 
101 ;  total  absent,  149.  Total  on  rolls  at  said  date 
including  officers  and  men,  894. 

On  the  24th  September,  the  Regiment  was  ordered 
to  take  with  them  three  days'  cooked  rations,  and  to 
march  to  Falls  Church.  That  night  was  spent  in  the 
village.  On  the  following  day,  the  Colonel  received 
orders  to  prepare  for  a  march,  equipped  for  fighting. 
In  company  with  Kershaw's  South  Carolina  Regiment, 
and  three  pieces  of  the  Washington  Artillery,  the 
Seventeenth  Virginia  proceeded  up  the  Alexandria 
and  Leesburg  turnpike,  and  after  passing  the  railroad 
station,  one  mile  above  the  village,  threw  out  skir 
mishers  to  the  right.  Arriving  at  the  intersection  of 
the  turnpike  and  the  road  leading  to  Georgetown,  they 
were  halted  and  informed  that  a  column  of  the  enemy 
4 


38  HISTORY  OF  TEE 

was  at  Lewinsville,  and  the  object  of  their  expedition 
was  to  dislodge  it. 

This  village  was  only  about  two  miles  distant,  so 
that  in  a  very  short  time  we  attained  an  eminence 
overlooking  it,  and  also  the  Yankee  line  drawn  up^ 
as  if  ready  for  combat. 

Our  infantry  were  below  the  brow  of  the  hill,  hidden- 
from  the  enemy  ;  in  a  few  seconds,  the  artillery  had 
unlimbered  and  moved  to  the  front.  After  one  or 
two  shots  our  forces  moved  forward  in  line  of  battle 
to  the  village,  (the  Yankees,  having  to  use  their  own 
expressive  term,  skeedaddled  at  our  first  fire,)  from 
which  point  the  artillery  again  opened  upon  the  retreat 
ing  column. 

The  enemy  replied  from  a  battery  at  Langley,  some 
half  mile  distant ;  and  their  first  shot,  a  24  pounder, 
passed  over  our  heads  and  exploded  in  our  rear  ;  the 
second  proved  a  truer  aim,  killing  one  of  Kershaw's 
men  and  wounding  another.  Being  under  full  range  of 
their  fire,  Colonel  Corse,  (in  command,)  ordered  the 
line  to  fall  back,  which  was  done  in  good  order,  the 
troops  passing  over  five  lines  of  oak  paled  fencing, 
which  fell  before  them  like  chaff  before  a  tempest. 

Making  a  circuit  we  overhauled  our  retreating  foes 
and  opened  fire  on  them  from  Langley  ;  night  put  a 
stop  to  our  operations. 

In  the  excitement  of  the  chase  none  of  the  officers 
noted  particularly  the  direction  they  were  making, 
and  there  was  but  one  man  in  the  Regiment  who  would 
undertake  to  guide  us  through  the  darkness  to  Falls 
Church . 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  39 

He  took  the  head  of  the  line  and  all  passed  very 
•quietly  until  we  reached  a  farm  house ;  at  that  point 
:a  din  arose  occasioned  by  ducks  and  chickens  evidently 
in  distress,  and  it  is  presumable  that  many  dined  the 
next  day  upon  more  delicate  soup  than  was  furnished 
by  army  rations. 

Oncoming  in  sight  of  Falls  Church,  about  nine  o'clock 
P.  M.,  our  hearts  were  gladdened  by  the  camp  fires  of 
•about  20,000  Confederate  soldiers,  sent  by  Gen.  B.  to 
-support  us  in  case  of  need. 

Whilst  on  duty  at  Falls  Church,  the  troops  fared 
well  from  the  excellent  vegetables  flourishing  in  the 
deserted  gardens  around  them.  There  was  more  or 
less  gaiety  according  to  the  weather,  and  spirit  of  the 
.men.  Sham  battles  were  often  indulged  in,  and  the 
time,  generally,  passed  rapidly. 

On  the  night  of  the  27th  of  September,  about  nine 
o'clock  P.  M.,  the  long  roll  sounded  on  all  sides  through 
the  village ;  the  troops  hastily  turned  out  from  their 
•quarters,  and  fell  into  line  on  the  turnpike.  After 
midnight,  the  column  moved  towards  Fairfax  Court 
House.  They  were  halted  at  Mills'  Cross  Roads, 
;about  three  miles  west,  and  slept  on  their  arms  the  re 
mainder  of  the  night.  About  eight  o'clock  the  next 
morning,  our  Regiment  was  ordered  to  return  to  the 
village.  After  our  arrival  within  a  few  hundred  yards 
thereof,  we  were  gentlemen  of  elegant  leisure  until 
.about  five  o'clock  P.  M.,  when  orders  arrived  for  us 
to  remove  the  telegraph  wires  from  the  village,  west 
ward  ;  this  was  accomplished  with  hard  labor,  as  the 


40  HISTORY  OF  THE 

roads  were  deep  and  muddy,  and  the  wires  were  to  be 
rolled  up  as  we  marched.  Upon  reaching  ChichesterV 
gate,  we  were  met  by  Gen.  J.  E.  B.  Stuart,  who  thank 
ing  the  men  through  our  Colonel,  told  us  to  return  to 
camp  at  Fairfax  Court  House  and  enjoy  that  rest  so 
needed  by  us  all.  On  the  3d  of  October,  "Camp  Har 
rison"  around  the  Court  House,  was  the  scene  of  a 
brilliant  turn  out  of  the  army  in  honor  of  the  presence 
of  our  President  and  Commander-in-chief,  Jefferson 
Davis,  who  wras  there  for  the  purpose  of  reviewing  his 
troops,  and  great  enthusiasm  was  evinced  by  them. 

On  the  11  th  of  October,  our  Regiment  and  one  com 
pany  of  the  Washington  Artillery,  were  sent  on  a 
scouting  expedition  in  the  direction  of  Anandale,  but 
failing  to  find  the  enemy,  reported  to  be  in  that  vicin 
ity,  we  returned  to  camp  late  in  the  day,  tired  and; 
pretty  well  used  up. 

On  the  12th  of  October,  the  Brigade  to  which  our 
Regiment  was  attached,  drilled  for  the  last  time  under 
the  command  of  Gen.  J.  T.  Longstreet,  and,  as  that 
officer  bade  adieu  to  the  body  of  men  so  long  known 
to  him  as  true  and  brave  soldiers,  unbroken  silence 
was  observed  along  the  line  for  a  brief  moment,  ami 
then,  as  if  the  earth  had  opened  with  volcanic  erup 
tions,  a  loud  and  long  peal  of  heart-felt  cheers  sounded 
from  a  thousand  throats,  and  drowned  the  words  of 
farewell  from  a  chieftain  so  beloved  and  honored  for 
his  bravery.' 

In  relinguishing  command  of  our  Brigade  the  follow 
ing  complimentary  order  was  addressed  to  us  : 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  41 

TERS  FOURTH  BRIGADE,  FIRST  CORP 
A.  P.,  FAIRFAX  C.  H.,  October  13th. 


HEADQUARTERS  FOURTH  BRIGADE,  FIRST  CORPS,  \ 


•General  Order  No.  17  : 

In  relinguishing  the  command  of  the  Fourth  Brigade,  First  Corps 
Army  of  the  Potomac,  the  Commanding  General  expresses  his  sin 
cere  thanks  to  the  officers  and  soldiers  of  the  command,  for  the 
kindly  patience,  the  soldierly  fortitude,  and  cheerful  obedience 
which  they  have  invariably  exhibited  during  the  many  hardships 
and  privations  of  a  long  and  trying  campaign. 

The  command  of  a  brigade,  second  to  none,  is  well  worthy  the 
boast  of  any  General,  and  even  regret  may  well  be  felt  at  promotion 
which  removes  it  a  step  at  least  from  him. 

By  command  of  Maj.  Gen.  Longstreet. 

G.  MOXLEY  SORREL, 
Capt.  and  A.  A.  G. 

The  14th  of  October  found  the  Regiment  on  its  way 
to  Mills'  Cross  Roads,  where  it  had  been  ordered  on 
picket  duty.  The  men  were  all  in  fine  spirits,  and 
gay  songs  from  a  hundred  throats  in  unison,  made  the 
march  a  merry  one.  Upon  reaching  the  lines,  the  Reg 
iment  was  drawn  up,  details  made  and  the  pickets  re 
lieved.  During  our  brief  stay  on  this  occasion,  our 
ears  not  uufrequently  tingled  with  the  rattling  of  an 
army  of  drums,  apparently  beaten  for  the  benefit  of 
the  Confederates ;  it  seemed  as  if  all  the  drum  corps 
from  the  Federal  army  had  congregated  at  that  point, 
each  trying  to  rival  others  in  noisy  demonstrations. 

Late  on  the  evening  of  the  16th  of  October,  the 
picket  lines  were  abandoned  by  the  infantry,  and  our 
Regiment  begun  a  tiresome  march  that  continued  until 
midnight,  and  brought  us  to  Centreville. 

Fairfax  Court  House,  for  many  months,  a  piy, 
4* 


42  HISTORY  OF  THE 

pleasant  village,  presented  a  most  deserted  appearance 
as  we  passed  through  it,  late  at  night ;  only  a  few  cav 
alry  were  to  be  seen,  the  army  having  some  hours  pre 
viously,  left  for  Centreville.  Many  of  the  citizens, 
for  fear  of  being  within  the  enemy 's  lines,  left  home 
with  the  troops. 

The  Seventh  Virginia  Regiment,  during  the  hurry 
of  moving,  had  a  number  of  their  tents  burnt  by  an  ac 
cidental  fire,  many  of  the  men  losing  their  clothing. 

Arriving  at  Centreville  about  midnight  the  boys 
threw  their  tired  frames  upon  the  ground  and  slept 
soundly.  Early  the  following  morning  everybody  was 
astir.  The  different  regiments  marched  off  to  the 
grounds  allotted  for  camping,  pitched  their  tents  and 
made  themselves  comfortable.  Our  camp  was  located 
on  the  hill  to  the  west  and  south  of  the  village.  This 
home  upon  the  hills  will  never  be  forgotten  by  the 
survivors  of  our  Regiment,  associated  as  it  is  in  our 
minds  with  a  pleasant  winter's  amusements. 

Ere  the  sun  slumbered  in  the  west,  the  hills  and 
valleys  around  the  little  village  of  Centreville,  were 
occupied  by  Regimental  and  Brigade  camps.  As  the 
darkness  increased,  the  skies  above  were  lighted  with 
the  glimmer  of  a  thousand  camp  fires ;  the  lively  song 
of  the  happy  soldier,  as  he  was  attending  to  the  duties 
of  the  camp  fire,  could  be  heard  upon  every  hill  and 
in  every  vale.  All  went  merrily  as  a  marriage  bell. 

Just  here  we  present  you  a  memento  of  the  stirring 
scenes  and  trying  times  in  picketing  at  Falls  Church 
and  vicinity. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  4;> 

"  FALLS  CHURCH,  October  5th,  1861. 
"Editor  National  Republican  : 

"Enclosed,  I  send  you  a  correct  copy  of  a  letter  found  by  me,  pin 
ned  on  a  gate  near  Falls  Church.    The  letter  is  something  of  a  cur 
iosity  :  so  I  send  it  for  publication.     The  direction  on  the  outside 
is  to  '  Yankee'  care  of  '  Luck.' 
"Yours,  &c. 

"W.  H.  G. 
"35th  Regiment  N,  Y.  S.  V." 

[COPY   OF   LETTER.] 

".Dear  Yankees  : 

' '  Having  been  resident  denizens  of  Falls  Church  for  sometime,  we 
to-day,  reluctantly  evacuate,  not  because  you  intimidate  by  your 
presence,  but  only  in  obedience  to  military  dictation. 

"  We  leave  you  a  fire  to  cook  potatoes,  also  to  warm  by,  as  the 
nights  are  now  uncomfortable  on  account  of  their  chilling  influence. 
Mr.  J.  T.  Petty,  an  inhabitant  of  Washington,  but  a  *  Secesh'  in 
the  rebel  army,  joins  compliments  with  me  upon  this  propitious 
occasion. 

"  Signed, 

"JOHNSTON, 
"Company  B,  17th  Regiment,  Va.  Volunteers." 

"  P.  S. — We  are  members  of  the  '  Bloody  Seventeenth' — the  well 
merited  sobriquet  of  our  Regiment  gained  in  the  battle  of  Bull 
Run." 

The  army  of  Northern  Virginia  soon  made  Centre- 
ville  what  Fairfax  Court  House  had  been,  and  the 
fields  around  were  converted  into  drill  grounds  for 
thousands  of  Confederate  soldiers. 

Engineers  were  soon  at  work ;  forts,  breastworks, 
rifle-pits  and  batteries,  marked  the  high  points  around. 
Regular  details  from  every  regiment  in  the  army 


44  HISTORY  OF  THE 

were  daily  made  for  ditching  and  digging,  and  the 
adjacent  country  for  miles  became  alive  with  men. 
The  "  big  balloon  "  of  the  enemy  appeared  often  in 
the  direction  of  the  Court  House,  and,  no  doubt,  its 
•occupants  took  the  Southern  army  for  a  large  body  of 
'"  Sappers  and  Miners,"  as  men  and  officers,  for  days 
and  weeks  were  in  the  "  ditch." 

On  the  22d  October  two  brigades  from  our  army 
were  sent  to  support  the  small  force  at  Leesburg,  the 
enemy  having  advanced  the  day  before  in  large  num 
bers,  and,  although  they  had  been  badly  beaten  in  the 
battle  of  "Ball's  Bluff/'  it  was  deemed  prudent  to 
send  reinforcements  in  case  of  another  advance. 

The  weather  during  October  was  cold  and  frosty, 
but  the  men  found  ample  means  to  while  the  hours 
between  drills  and  guard  duty.  Games  of  "  foot-ball " 
and  "  bandy  "  were  often  zealously  indulged  in. 

On  the  30th  October,  the  Virginia  troops  were 
ordered  out,  and  a  flag  bearing  the  State  crest  and  her 
motto :  "  Sic  Semper  Tyrranis,"  was  presented  to  each 
regiment  by  Governor  John  Letcher.  When  the 
turn  of  our  Eegiment  came  to  receive  the  flag,  the 
Governor  said :  "  I  present  this  flag  in  the  name  of 
the  Commonwealth  of  Virginia ;  take  it,  and  when 
vou  go  into  Alexandria,  drive  out  the  invaders  of  our 
soil." 

Colonel  Corse,  in  his  usual  good  humored  manner 
replied  as  follows  : 

"  Governor,  I  accept  this  flag  from  our  beloved  old 
Mother,  and  tender  the  thanks  of  the  Regiment  1 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  45 

have  the  honor  to  command ;  with  confidence  I  place 
it  in  their  hands  and  promise  you  that  it  shall  be 
planted  on  the  high  places  around  Alexandria,  or  the 
blood  of  the  Seveenteenth  shall  flow  freely  in  the 
attempt," 

The  following  day  passed  pleasantly  to  all :  a  grand 
review  in  honor  of  the  distinguished  guest  was  ordered, 
and  many  happy  hearts  grew  happier  with  the  pre 
vailing  enthusiasm. 

November  was  ushered  in  like  a  (l  roaring  lion," 
bringing  grief  and  destruction  in  its  wake  to  many  a 
well-kept  camp  ground.  On  the  night  of  the  first,  a 
most  terrific  storm  of  wind,  rain  and  hail  commenced 
from  the  northwest ;  the  howling  tempest  and  pelting 
rain  blended  in  a  continuous  roar  throughout  the  night- 

When  the  morning  of  the  2d  began  to  send  its 
pale  rays  across  the  hills,  our  camp  presented  a  most 
lamentable  spectacle.  Only  two  tents  were  standing 
out  of  about  one  hundred  and  fifty ;  the  men  were 
huddled  together  in  groups  endeavoring  to  keep  warm ; 
the  fires  having  been  extinguished  could  add  nothing 
to  their  comfort  and  the  poor  fellows,  wet,  supperless, 
and  without  the  fragment  of  a  chance  for  breakfas^ 
presented  a  most  wretched  appearance  indeed.  Tents, 
blankets,  and  all  the  paraphernalia  of  a  soldier's  outfit 
were  scattered  right  and  left  over  the  camp  ground. 

Our  brave  and  ever  faithful  Colonel,  like  a  man  in 
a  dream,  was  seen  standing  near  the  remains  of  his 
once  comfortable  tent,  lamenting  his  lost  breakfast,  in 
his  shirt  sleeves,  regardless  of  the  rain,  and  reminding 


4(j  HISTORY  OF  THE 

one  of  a  person  invited  to  a  feast,  who  couldn't  go. 
Poor  fellow !  he  looked  the  personification  of  "  Pa 
tience  on  a  monument,  smiling  at  Grief.7' 

The  storm  continued  until  afternoon  when  the  wind 
changed,  and  it  cleared  up  piercingly  cold. 

On  the  3d,  our  Regiment  picketed  near  Fairfax 
Court  House  ;  whilst  there,  two  of  the  officers  were  put 
under  arrest  for  allowing  a  lady  to  pass  the  outpost, 
losing  their  swords  for  a  few  hours. 

Brigadier  General  Clark,  of  Mississippi,  was  assigned 
the  command  of  our  Brigade  on  the  4th  of  November, 
in  place  of  General  J.  T.  Longstreet,  promoted.  On 
the  8th,  Brigadier  General  Ewell  succeeded  General 
Clark  in  the  command,  the  latter  having  been  ordered 
to  the  Western  army.  The  Brigade  at  the  said 
time  was  composed  of  the  1st,  7th  llth,  and  17th  Vir 
ginia  Regiments. 

On  the  6th,  we  returned  from  picket  duty  and 
resumed  the  routine  of  camp  life.  On  the  8th,  Com 
pany  PI,  voted  unanimously  to  enlist  for  the  war. 
Their  example  was  soon  followed  by  the  remainder  of 
the  Regiment.  Jackson's  Brigade  left  our  neigbor- 
hood  the  same  day  for  the  Valley,  and  their  camp 
ground  was  occupied  by  a  South  Carolina  Brigade. 
Seven  prisoners  were  sent  in  by  the  cavalry,  who  were 
always  on  the  allert  to  "  gobble  up  "  stray  parties  too 
far  from  home. 

On  the  18th,  a  part  of  the  Regiment  picketed  near 
Stuart's  camp,  and  spent  a  most  jovial  time.  A  num 
ber  of  the  men  took  their  meals  at  Mrs.  Stewart's, 


SEVENTEENTH   VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  47 

several  miles  above  the  Court  House,  where  they  were 
highly  pleased  with  the  good  fare  set  for  their  enjoy 
ment. 

During  the  winter  months,  whilst  at  Centerville,  the 
men  were  allowed  twenty-four  or  forty-eight  hours 
passes,  with  which  to  visit  their  friends  and  acquain 
tances,  indulge  in  a  frolic,  or  in  whatever  they  might 
choose  for  the  time  specified.  It  produced  the  good 
effect  of  keeping  the  troops  contented  and  obedient. 

On  the  28th,  battle-flags  were  presented  to  General 
Longstreet's  Division.  The  presentation  addresses  to 
each  regiment  were  enthusiastically  received  by  the 
men.  Senator  H.  W.  Thomas,  gave  a  supper  to  Com 
pany  B.  on  the  29th,  and  on  the  following  day  a  grand 
review  of  General  Longstreet's  Division  took  place, 
which  passed  off  quietly,  reflecting  credit  upon  both 
troops  and  Commander. 

December's  severely  cold  nights  made  dreadful  havoc 
with  the  soldiers  toes  on  the  out  posts,  where  for  six 
long  hours  without  fire  or  aught  to  shield  from  Jack 
Frost's  intrusion,  they  trod  their  lonely  beat,  dreaming 
of  home  and  friends  far  away. 

Only  the  experience  can  know  the  real  state  of  a 
man's  mind  when  on  such  duty,  especially  if  in  hourly 
expectation  of  the  enemy's  approach.  They  alone  can 
understand  the  watchfulness  and  care  necessary  to 
protect  the  line  as  well  as  the  body  of  the  sentinel. 
Eyes  and  ears  must  be  ever  ready  to  catch  the 
faintest  sound,  and  the  musket  must  be  in  place  for 
instant  use  in  the  event  of  an  alarm. 


48  HISTORY  OF  THE 

On  the  6th  December,  our  Regiment  picketed  at 
post  No.  5.  Whilst  on  duty  there,  Companys  A,  G, 
and  H,  were  sent  on  a  foraging  expedition,  and  after 
marching  down  the  Alexandria  turnpike  as  far  as 
Gooding's,  the  column  halted,  had  details  made  and 
the  wragons  filled  with  corn  from  the  fields  adjacent. 
The  detachment  then  returned  without  experiencing 
any  remarkable  adventure. 

We  were  relieved  on  the  9th  by  the  Fifth  South 
Carolina  Regiment,  and  returned  to  camp.  On  our 
arrival  we  received  information  that  two  of  the  "  Tiger 
Rifles,"  of -Wheat's  Battalion,  were  to  be  shot  for  at 
tempting  the  life  of  one  of  their  Lieutenants.  The 
execution  took  place  not  very  far  from  our  camp,  and 
was  witnessed  by  some  of  our  men. 

During  the  month  of  December,  orders  were  issued 
for  the  troops  to  put  up  winter  quarters. 

The  companies  having  wagons  and  horses  put  them 
in  requisilion  for  hauling  the  materials  for  build 
ing.  The  frame  work  of  dilapidated  and  deserted 
dwellings  was  taken  to  camp,  where  we  lost  no  time  in 
erecting  good  substantial  houses,  with  all  the  con 
veniences  for  cooking,  sleeping,  &c.  we  could  contrive. 
On  the  llth,  Major  Barbour,  Quartermaster  of  the 
army,  gave  a  grand  entertaiment  at  his  quarters  in  Cen- 
terville,  to  the  Generals  in  command  ;  among  those 
present,  were  Johnston,  Stuart,  Longstreet  and  Van 
Dorn.  Egg-nog,  apple-toddy,  mixed  and  plain  liquors 
of  various  kinds,  with  refreshments  and  substantials, 
were  spread  to  tempt  the  appetite  and  gratify  the 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  49 

tastes  of  all.  The  party  continued  their  festivities 
until  near  the  dawn  of  day.  On  the  13th,  Longstreet 
had  his  Division  drill — (he  was  the  only  General  who 
drilled  by  division.) 

The  evolutions  of  at  least  fifteen  thousand  men, 
enmasse,  was  a  grand  sight.  Thousands  of  the  army- 
met  as  spectators,  and  no  doubt,  considered  themselves 
well  repaid  for  coming. 

On  the  17th,  the  left  wing  of  our  Regiment  went 
on  picket  at  Post  No.  4,  and  returned  to  camp  on  the 
20th.  On  the  same  day,  as  a  foraging  party  consisting 
of  four  regiments  with  an  escort  of  Stuart's  Cavalry- 
were  approaching  Drainsville,  Loudoun  County — 
they  were  entrapped  by  a  large  body  of  the  enemy  in 
ambush,  and,  after  a  short  and  bloody  battle,  forced 
to  fall  back  leaving  their  dead  and  wounded  on  the 
field.  The  weather  was  bitterly  cold,  and  the  suffer 
ing  of  the  wounded  intense,  as  they  were  left  lying  on 
frozen  ground  throughout  the  night. 

The  llth  Virginia  Regiment,  one  of  our  Brigade, 
lost  fifty  men  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing.  As 
the  affair  was  supposed  to  be  the  result  of  carelessness 
on  the  part  of  some  one  in  command,  it  was  more 
than  ordinarily  deplored. 

Two  days  after  a  number  of  the  dead  were  brought 
into  Centerville  for  burial.  It  was  indeed  a  heart 
rending  sight :  frozen  stiff,  there  was  no  relaxation  of 
muscle  to  change  the  posture  in  which  the  agonies  of 
death  were  endured;  some  lay  doubled  up,  other© 
5 


50  HISTORY  OF  THE 

with  their  rigid  fingers  clutched  in  their  clothing  or 
around  their  acoutrements. 

The  following  beautifully  conceived  letter  of  friend 
ship  and  regard,  was  written  by  the  brave  Samuel 
Garland,  Jr.,  Colonel  commanding  the  llth  Virginia 
volunteers — the  gallant  "Old  Eleventh/7 — and  read 
to  our  Regiment  on  dress  parade. 


,\ 


"  CAMP  OF  THE  HTH  VIRGINIA  VOLUNTEERS, 
IST  BRIGADE,  2o  DIVISION, 

December,  23d,  1861. 
"  COL.  M.  D.  CORSE, 

Commanding  17th  Virginia  Volunteers, 

"  DEAR  SIR  : — I  desire  to  express,  on  my  own  behalf,  and  on  be 
half  of  the  officers  and  men  of  the  llth  Virginia  Volunteers,  our 
grateful  appeciation  of  the  soldierly  friendship,  which  induced 
your  command  to  unite  in  paying  the  last  tribute  of  respect  to 
those  of  our  gallant  comrades,  whom  we  buried  011  yesterday. 

"  Such  evidences  of  mutual  regard  cannot  fail  to  have  the  effect 
of  increasing  the  spirit  and  efficiency  of  both  commands.  Rest 
assured  that  we  shall  share  together  the  hardships  of  the  tented 
field,  watching  with  eager  interest  the  fortunes  of  the  gallant  17th 
until  the  day  shall  come,  when  their  flag  shall  wave  once  more  in 
the  streets  of  Alexandria. 

"  That  our  acknowledgment  of  the  act  of  friendship  referred  to 
may  be  communicated  to  your  command,  I  request  that  you  will 
direct  your  Adjutant  to  read  this  note  at  your  evening  parade. 
"  I  remain,  Colonel,  with  high  regard, 

"Your  friend  and  obedient  servant, 
(Signed)  "  SAMUEL  GARLAND,  JR., 

"Col.  llth  Va.  Vols." 

The  23d  of  December,  1861,  was  a  severe  day  to 
the  soldiers  of  the  army  of  Northern  Virginia.  Snow, 
rain  and  hail  fell  in  torrents,  and  as  a  preventive  of 
colds — rations  of  whisky  were  issued  to  the  men. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  51 

The  "Seventeenth/7  so  long  without  a  copious 
supply  of  "  Pine  top/7  hailed  the  liquor  with  delight, 
and  ere  the  faint  beams  of  twilight's  silent  hour 
had  retired,  about  two-thirds  of  Longstreet's  "  Bloody 
Seventeenth  " — were  certainly  not  frozen. 

Almost  every  tent  and  house,  both  of  officers  and 
men,  had  its  canteen  swinging  near ;  in  many,  upon 
the  floor  or  "bunk/7  were  to  be  seen  four  or  more 
soldiers  engaged  in  the  fascinating  game  of  "  Bluff.77 
When  the  cry  of  "  Lights  out 77  ran  from  mouth  to 
mouth  along  the  line  of  sentinels,  the  camp  became 
shrouded  in  darkness — but  suppose  we  step  into  a 
tent  and  see  if  the  lights  are  really  "  out.77  Lifting 
the  heavy  "  fly  77  upon  the  inside  of  which  an  oilcloth 
is  pinned,  we  enter.  Looking  around  we  notice  Capt's 

and ,  Lieut's  *  *  *  and  o  o  o  (whom 

many  of  our  readers  would  recognize  without  the  aid 
of  a  magnifier)  and  others,  seated  comfortably  upon  a 
blanket ;  each  mouth  adorned  with  a  pipe  from  which 
clouds  of  smoke  are  emanating,  while  their  minds  are 
all  intent  upon  the  cards  before  them  ;  the  light  is 
well  shaded,  so  as  to  be  invisible  on  the  outside,  as 
the  game  goes  on  under  the  whispers  of  the  players. 
Corn  or  coffee  grains  are  spread  around,  each  repre 
senting  a  specified  amount,  not  greater  than  a  dollar. 

From  the  players,  who  are  steeped  in  tobacco  smoke 
and  "  fire-water/'  we  catch  the  sentences :  "  I'll  raise 
you  two7'— "I'll  go  five  better  "— "  Can't  see  it'7— 
"  Three  Queens  " — <fec.,  &c.  Thus  was  the  game  of 
"Bluff"  often  played  in  our  camp,  and  seldom  was  it 


£2  HISTORY  OF  THE 

finished  until  the  early  morning  reveille  startled  the 
players  from  their  sport. 

The  24th  was  a  continuation  of  the  preceding  day, 
aud  many  fights,  fisticuffs  and  scuffles,  all  brought  on 
by  whisky,  occured,  but,  as  is  generally  the  case,  very 
few  were  hurt.  Two  of  our  officers,  allowing  full 
scope  to  their  imbibing  capacities,  had  passed  the  day 
quietly  together,  but  towards  night  the  canteen  of  one 
failed  to  furnish  him  even  the  agreeable  fragrance  of 
"  Pine  top ; "  this  not  proving  congenial  with  his 
inclinations,  he  helped  himself  from  the  canteen  of  his 
friend.  The  owner  thereof  appearing  at  the  moment 
the  destitute  one  was  slacking  his  thirst  at  his  expense, 
and  not  fancying  the  disappearance  of  his  "fire-water" 
except  through  one  channel,  insisted  upon  stopping 
the  leak.  From  words  they  came  to  blows,  until  they 
knocked  each  other  into  the  Company  street,  when 
the  Colonel  soon  appeared  and  put  them  under  arrest. 

The  following  morning  they  were  much  surprised 
to  hear  of  the  fight,  and  rather  mortified  to  feel  that 
they  had  lost  their  swords,  but  it  was  soon  arranged 
and  they  were  released,  becoming  firmer  friends  for  the 
future. 

The  25th  (Xmas,)  was  a  keenly  cold  day,  and  was 
rendered  far  from  agreeable  under  foot  by  a  previous 
fell  of  snow  and  hail.  A  few  broken  noses  and  a  little 
blood  unnecessarily  spilled  were  all  that  disturbed  the 
monotony  of  our  every  day  life. 

Many  of  the  soldiers  at  Centerville,  during  the  win 
ter  of  1861 — received  gifts  from  their  distant  homes  to 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  53 

replenish  their  larders ;  but  those  of  our  Regiment 
were  not  so  lucky,  as  our  homes  were  in  the  hands  of 
the  enemy.  Silently  we  watched  the  wagons,  loaded 
Avith  Xmas  boxes,  pass  our  camp  for  more  fortunate 
men ;  silently  we  saw  the  fat  turkey  stripped  of  his 
flesh  in  the  hands  of  others ;  when  suffering,  we  tried 
to  bear  it  heroically,  though  no  gentle  hand  was  near 
to  soothe  the  aching  brow ;  we  were  refugees  from 
home,  the  first  in  the  struggle — but  no  laughter  was 
more  unrestrained,  more  merrily  heart-felt  than  that  of 
the  17th  Ya. ;  and  no  sweeter  songs  than  those  of 
Smith,  Bradley  and  the  Kidwells,  were  heard  upon  the 
midnight  air. 

The  New  Year  was  hailed  by  us  all  with  sundry 
congratulations — toasts,  songs,  and  general  hilarity — 
these  formed  the  programme  of  the  day. 

A  "  home  gathering"  of  some  description  was  given 
by  the  captains  throughout  the  Regiment,  in  and 
around  their  tents,  thus  drawing  the  hearts  of  their 
men  more  closely  to  themselves ;  whilst  officers  and 
men  worked  as  a  unit  in  our  common  cause :  A  cause 
for  which  much  that  had  formed  life's  dearest  pleasures 
had  been  sacrificed  without  a  murmur,  and  with  the 
determined  spirit  to  yield  up  life  itself,  if  necessary,  in 
upholding  and  defending  it. 

The  day  passed  with  incredible  swiftness,  and  forms 
an  era  in  our  soldier  life  not  to  be  forgotten  by  any 
who  were  present. 

During  the  latter  part  of  the  winter,  many  of  our 
men  received  thirty  days  furlough,  renounced  camp 
5* 


54  HISTORY  OF  TEE 

life  pro  tern,  some  for  a  trip  to  Richmond,  others  to 
Lynchburg,  and  a  few  to  visit  distant  friends. 

On  the  7th  of  March,  1862,  that  portion  of  the  army 
of  Northern  Virginia  stationed  near  Leesburg,  under 
the  command  of  Gen.  Hill,  began  its  evacuation,  and 
inarched  via  the  Plains  and  Warrenton  to  the  vicinity 
of  Culpeper  Court  House. 

On  the  9th,  those  at  Centerville  composing  the  main 
army,  broke  camp  and  fell  back  slowly  towards  Cul 
peper,  passing  through  Warrenton.  Thousands  of 
pounds  of  bacon,  flour  and  other  army  stores  were 
burned,  indeed,  there  was  a  general  destruction  of 
whatever  could  not  be  made  transportable. 

Our  Regiment,  in  company  with  Longstreet's  Divis 
ion  passed  through  Warrenton  on  the  llth,  the  men 
in  high  spirits ;  the  boy's  making  the  welkin  ring  with 
their  merry  songs.  Most  of  the  army  reached  the 
neighborhood  of  Orange  Court  House  on  the  17th  of 
March,  1862.  Our  Regiment  encamped  on  Taylor's 
farm  about  one  and  a  half  miles  south-west  of  the  vil 
lage.  The  rains  had  been  heavy,  hence  the  ground 
was  in  bad  condition  for  camping.  Many  of  the  men 
were  unfitted  for  duty  from  sickness  occasioned  by 
fatigue  and  exposure  during  the  inclement  weather 
while  falling  back.  On  the  26th,  our  camp  was  re 
moved  a  short  distance  to  a  more  comfortable  location, 
and  the  companies  resumed  the  drill  and  parades. 

While  in  this  camp,  Col.  A.  P.  Hill  was  promoted 
to  Brig.  Gen.,  and  assigned  the  command  of  our  Brig 
ade,  vice  Gen.  Ewell,  promoted. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  55 

On  the  17th  of  March,  Maj.  G.  \V.  Brent,  whose 
social  companionship  had  quickened  the  dragging 
hours  of  many  a  dreary  march,  was  detached  from  our 
Regiment  by  order  of  Gen.  Beauregard,  and  assigned 
to  duty  as  Inspector  General  of  the  army  of  the  West. 
The  severing  of  a  tie,  that  for  nearly  a  year  had  given 
so  much  pleasure  to  all,  was  a  source  of  deep  regret ; 
but  like  true  soldiers,  we  were  aware  that  duty  must 
forestall  pleasure. 

Subsequently,  he  was  assigned  to  duty  as  Adjutant 
General,  and  retained  the  position  until  the  close  of 
the  war,  having  served  as  such  under,  Gen.'s  Beaure 
gard,  Bragg,  Hardee  and  Johnston.  His  career  was 
one  of  hardships  and  excessive  toils  ;  he  participated 
in  the  battles  of  Shiloh,  Farmington,  Richmond  and 
Perryville,  in  Kentucky,  Murfreesborough,  Chicka- 
mauga,  Chattanooga,  and  was  present  in  several  battles 
around  Petersburg. 


56  HISTORY  OF  THE 


THE     PENINSULA. 

ABOUT  the  6th  of  April  the  army  of  Northern 
Virginia  left  Orange  Court  House,  taking  the  route 
towards  Fredericksburg.  Our  Regiment  proceeded  by 
the  road  to  Louisa  Court  House,  and  during  the  march 
was  subjected  to  the  discomforts  of  a  severe  snow  storm 
which,  together  with  previous  rains,  made  the  roads 
almost  impassable. 

The  men  bore  their  trials  with  veteran  fortitude, 
and,  with  few  exceptions,  presented  themselves  in  due 
time  at  the  end  of  the  day's  march. 

After  bivouacing  near  Louisa  for  two  days,  where 
rations  of  good  whisky  were  issued,  the  march  was  re 
sumed  and  continued  to  within  a  few  miles  of  Rich 
mond. 

On  the  14th,  the  camp  near  Richmond  was  aban 
doned.  The  Regiment  moved  through  the  city,  took 
transports  on  the  James  River,  and  passed  down  to 
King's  Mill,  where  a  landing  was  made.  On  the  17th, 
the  trenches  around  Yorktown  were  reached,  where 
Gen.  McClellan  was  concentrating  his  army  prior  to 
the  movement  against  Richmond. 

Gen.  Magruder  \vas  in  charge  of  the  Confederate 
forces  at  this  point  until  the  army  arrived,  when  Gen. 
Jos.  E.  Johnston  was  assigned  the  command.  About 
two  weeks  were  spent  in  the  trenches,  during  which 
the  men  suffered  severely.  We  were  daily  annoyed  by 
artillery  and  sharp-shooters,  from  which  our  Regiment 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  57 

lost  one  man  killed  and  had  several  wounded,  viz : 
Sergt.  J.  "W.  Ivors,  Co.  G,  severely  wounded,  from 
the  effects  of  which  he  died ;  Private  A.  F.  Skidmore, 
Co.  E,  killed;  Privates  Lyman  Coons,  Co.  D,  and 
H.  Biggs,  Co.  E,  wounded. 

On  the  26th  of  April,  the  Regiment  was  re-organ 
ized  in  accordance  with  a  recent  law  of  Congress.  Col. 
M.  D.  Corse  was  re-elected  Colonel.  Capt.  M.  Marye 
was  elected  Lieutenant  Colonel ;  Capt.  A.  Herbert, 
Major. 

Lieut.  A.  J.  Humphreys  was  elected  Captain  of  Com 
pany  A,  vice,  Marye,  promoted ;  Capt.  R.  H.  Simpson 
was  re-elected  Captain  of  Co.  B ;  Capt.  Geo.  R.  Head 
was  re-elected  Captain  of  Co.  C ;  but  resigning  on  the 
28th,  Lieut.  W.  B.  Lynch  was  elected  in  his  stead ; 
Lieut.  J.  T.  Burke  was  elected  Captain  of  Co.  D; 
Lieut.  James  M.  Steuart  was  elected  Captain  of  Co. 
E ;  Lieut.  Grayson  Tyler  was  elected  Captain  of  Co. 
F ;  Lieut.  R.  F.  Knox  was  elected  Captain  of  Co.  G ; 
Lieut.  W.  H.  Fowle,  Jr.,  was  promoted  to  the  Cap 
taincy  of  Co.  H,  vice  A.  Herbert,  promoted ;  Lieut. 
Raymond  Fairfax  was  elected  Captain  of  Co.  I,  and 
Lieut.  J.  D.  Kirby  was  elected  Captain  of  Co.  K. 

On  the  3d  of  May,  a  retreat  becoming  necessary,  the 
army  was  quietly  withdrawn  under  the  Generalship  of 
Jos.  E.  Johnston,  the  enemy  not  being  aware  of  the 
movement  until  the  following  morning.  Williams- 
burg  was  reached  on  the  morning  of  the  4th,  after  a 
severe  night  march,  over  roads  in  truly  deplorable  con 
dition  from  recent  heavy  rains.  The  men  spent  the 


58  HISTORY  OF  THE 

day  in  the  town ;  in  the  afternoon,  our  Regiment  was 
ordered  into  line  of  battle  near  by,  where  we  slept  on 
our  arms. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  5th  the  enemy  advanc 
ed,  and  our  batteries  opened  upon  them.  About  10 
o'clock  our  Infantry  moved  to  the  front,  and  engaged 
the  Federals  in  a  most  desperate  fight,  which  lasted 
throughout  the  day.  The  rain  poured  without  inter 
mission,  but  the  men  fought  stubbornly ;  gradually 
but  surely  we  gained  ground.  It  was  a  hotly  contest 
ed  field  on  which  the  blood  of  many  a  brave  heart 
flowed  freely,  for  the  troops  in  both  armies  fought  with 
irreproachable  valor. 

The  following  extracts  from  the  official  reports  of 
Brigadier  General  Hill  and  Colonel  M.  D.  Corse  will 
show  the  part  so  nobly  sustained  by  the  Seventeenth 
Virginia  Regiment : 

General  Hill  says : 

"  Colonel  Corse,  calm  and  equable  as  a  May  mom- 
ing,  bore  himself  like  a  true  soldier  throughout. 

"  Lieutenant  Colonel  Marye  and  Major  Herbert 
were  brave,  active  and  energetic  in  the  discharge  of 
their  duties. 

"Among  those  who,  by  the  fortunes  of  war,  were 
most  prominently  brought  forward  and  noticed  arc 
Captain  R.  H.  Simpson ;  Cadet  J.  Herbert  Bryant, 
Acting  Adjutant;  Color  Sergeant  Mahlon  G.  Hatcher, 
and  Color  Corporal  Henry  N.  Bradley.  This  Regi 
ment  mourns  the  loss  of  three  gallant  officers — Capt. 
Humphreys,  Lieuts.  Addison  and  Carter." 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  59 

Colonel  Corse  says  : 

"  My  field  officers,  Lieutenant  Col.  Morton  Marye, 
and  Major  Arthur  Herbert  are  entitled  to  my  highest 
admiration  for  their  gallantry  and  great  activity  in 
inspiring  the  men  with  confidence  and  encouraging 
them  forward.  My  Acting  Adjutant,  Cadet  J.  Her 
bert  Bryant,  displayed  great  zeal  and  courage,  moving 
from  one  end  of  the  line  to  the  other,  cheering  the 
men  on.  Capt.  Robert  H.  Simpson  of  Company  B, 
won  my  praise  for  his  perfect  coolness  and  self- 
possession,  keeping  his  company  well  in  line,  and 
directing  their  fire  with  telling  effect. 

Capt.  Wm.  B.  Lynch,  Company  C ;  Capt.  J.  T.  Burke, 
Company  D;  Capt.  James  M.  Steuart,  Company  E; 
Capt,  Grayson  Tyler,  Company  F;  Capt,  Robert  F. 
Knox,  Company  G ;  Capt.  "Wm.  H.  Fowle,  Company 
II ;  Capt.  James  D.  Kirby,  Company  K ;  and  Lieut, 
Thomas  O'Shea  commanding  Company  I,  did  their 
duty  faithfully  and  well.  Never  was  a  Regimental 
Commander  more  zealously  supported  by  his  company 
officers.  When  subaltern  officers  universally  behaved 
so  well,  I  cannot  mention  one  individual  without 
doing  injustice  to  the  others.  Among  the  non-commis 
sioned  officers  and  men,  I  witnessed  innumerable 
instances  of  distinguished  courage,  many  refusing  to 
leave  the  field,  though  suffering  from  painful  wounds. 
Capt.  A.  J.  Huphreys  commanding  Company  A,  my 
late  Adjutant,  and  one  nearest  my  person  during  the 
past  year,  fell  about  one  o'clock  mortally  wounded, 
bravely  leading  his  company.  Of  him,  I  must  say  a 


60  HISTORY  GF  TUB 

more  gallant  or  better  soldier  never  led  men  to  battle, 
Lieut.  John  F.  Addison  of  Company  G,  fell  dead 
about  the  same  time.  His  remarkable  activity  and 
intrepidity  came  frequently  under  my  notice  during 
the  action.  Lieut.  "W.  L.  Carter  was  killed  early  in 
the  day  cheering  his  men  on.  He  was  a  steady,  deter 
mined  soldier.  These  officers  were  amongst  the  most 
beloved  in  the  Regiment,  and  their  loss  is  deeply 
mourned.  Color  Sergeant  Mahlon  G.  Hatcher  was 
severely  wounded  in  the  arm,  while  courageously 
bearing  the  colors  to  the  front.  Color  Corporal  H.  N. 
Bradley  was  badly  wounded  in  the  face,  while  steadily 
moving  forward  in  his  place." 

The  enemy  having  been  at  last  driven  at  every 
point,  the  battle  proved  a  victory  to  our  forces ;  they 
remained  that  night  upon  the  field  and  commenced 

eir  retreat  from  Williamsburg  on  the  following  morn 
ing.  Many  of  our  wounded,  who  were  unable  to  move, 
were  left  in  Williamsburg  and  fell  into  the  hands  of 
the  enemy.  Our  march  was  slow  and  toilsome ;  on 
the  9th,  we  reached  the  Christian  Farm,  near  the  Long 
Bridge,  wThere  we  rested  several  days. 

The  hardships  of  those  memorable  three  days  march, 
were  not  equalled  during  the  war,  though  the  men  of 
the  army  bore  them  unmurmuringly.  The  enemy 
hugged  close  upon  the  rear  for  some  distance,  but  hav 
ing  had  a  taste  of  the  fangs  of  the  "  bull  dog  warrior," 
who  defended  and  protected  the  rear  of  the  army,  they 
preferred  not  giving  him  another  opportunity  to  bite, 
contenting  themselves  with  watching  at  a  safe  distance. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  61 

From  Long  Bridge  we  fell  back  to  a  camp  near 
Richmond,  and  for  several  weeks  did  picket  duty  at 
Deep  Bottom,  on  the  James ;  there  the  line  of  skirm 
ishers  had  a  fight  with  a  gunboat  and  had  one  man 
wounded. 

The  loss  of  the  Seventeenth  Virginia,  in  the  battle 
of  Williamsburg,  amounted  to  about  sixty-five  men 
and  officers  killed  and  wounded — about  thirty  per 
cent,  of  the  number  engaged.  Our  camp  was  again 
moved,  and  we  settled  near  the  city  of  Richmond. 

General  McClellan,  in  command  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  had  moved  his  forces  nearer  Richmond  and 
fixed  his  lines,  bordering  the  Chickahominy  river, 
upon  grounds  of  his  own  choosing.  The  men  of  the 
army,  under  General  Johnston,  were  busy  strengthen 
ing  the  works  around  the  "  City  of  Seven  Hills,"  and 
in  recruiting  and  filling  up  their  decimated  ranks. 

Richmond  was  filled  with  people  from  all  parts  of 
the  country,  of  every  grade,  from  the  earnest  sympa 
thizers  in  our  cause  to  the  Shy  locks,  who  came  like 
vultures  to  seize  upon  any  prey  within  range  of  their 
tender  mercies,  whether  citizen  or  soldier,  widow  or 
orphan ;  and  it  is  to  this  class  of  people,  whether 
native  or  imported,  may  be  justly  attributed  the  down 
fall  of  the  Southern  Confederacy ;  to  them  rightfully 
belongs  the  opprobrium  which  fraud  and  extortion 
should  ever  bring  upon  their  votaries  !  It  is  needless 
to  say,  these  people  remained  in  civil  life,  pursuing 
what  ever  avocations  would  best  accomplish  their 
ends. 


62  HISTORY  OF  THE 

While  we  were  recruiting  strength  to  defend  our 
Capitol,  Gen'l  McClellaii  was  weaving,  as  he  believed, 
a  powerful  net  in  which  to  entrap  and  crush  us  at  one 
blow ;  but  it  proved  a  mightier  task  than  even  his 
great  military  genius  had  imagined.  Fever  and  ague, 
malignant  fevers,  and  disease  of  every  description, 
occasioned  by  the  miasma  arising  from  the  surround 
ing  swamps,  mowed  down  his  men  by  thousands. 
Mired  in  mud  that  precluded  the  use  of  wheels,  he 
could  only  rest  on  his  oars  until  a  more  propitious 
season,  a  delay  which  afforded  us  ample  time  to  mass 
a  considerable  force  in  his  front.  As  the  time 
approached  for  us  to  make  a  bold  stroke,  stringent 
orders  were  issued  and  great  care  taken  to  keep  the 
men  from  straying  off.  The  roads  leading  to  and  from 
Richmond  were  guarded,  and  a  Major  General's  pass 
required  to  effect  an  entrance  thereto,  while  her  streets 
were  lined  with  armed  men  fully  empowered  to  enforce 
these  regulations ;  running  the  blockade  at  that  time 
was  far  from  child's  play.  Our  Regiment  (Seventeenth 
Virginia)  was  a  fair  sample,  we  may  judge,  of  our 
confreres  in  arms  generally,  and  of  it  it  may  be  truth 
fully  told  that  no  opportunity  was  allowed  to  pass 
unimproved  which  wrould  bring  us  within  range  of  the 
bright  eyes  and  gentle  words  of  our  lady  friends.  The 
gauntlet  was  run  regardless  of  distance  or  danger,  for 
where  was  the  Soldier  Boy  in  those  days — for  whose 
coming  no  fair  one  watched  in  our  beautiful  "  Modern 
Rome,"  so  renowned  for  the  loveliness  and  nobleness 
of  her  daughters  ? 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  §3 

Partial  list  of  casualties  in  the  Seventeenth  Virginia 
Regiment,  at  the  battle  of  Williamsburg,  May  5th, 
1862. 

Field  and  Staff— Color  Sergeant  M.  G.  Hatcher, 
wounded. 

Company  A — Killed,  Capt.  A.  J.  Humphreys ; 
Privates,  F.  H.  Abbott  and  E.V .  Fairfax.  Wounded, 
Lieut.  John  Addison,  Sergeants  J.  H.  McVeigh,  Jr., 
and  S.  B.  Paul;  the  former  badly;  Privates  R.  C. 
Johnston,  E.  T.  Taliaferro,  T.  B.  Turner,  C.  H. 
McKnight,  J.  N.  Swann,  and  H.  S.  Hite ;  the  last 
two  died  of  their  wounds. 

Company  B — Killed,  Privates,  Peyton  Scroggin 
and  John  W.  Chrisman ;  wounded,  Lieut.  Win.  Rich 
ardson,  mortally,  and  Sergt.  W.  A.  Rust,  badly. 

Company  C — Killed,  Privates  Jas.  H.  Sibbett  and 
Chas.  E.  Wright ;  wounded,  Privates  R.  Burke  and 
John  L.  A.  Murphy ;  the  latter  died  of  his  wounds. 

Company  D — Killed,  none;  wounded,  Privates  S. 
D.  Mills,  D.  A.  Marks  and  J.  Cook. 

Company  E — Killed,  Privates  Thos.  Padgett  and 
Jos.  Penn ;  wounded,  Corp.  S.  S.  Coleman,  severely. 

Company  F — Killed,  Lieut.  W.  L.  Carter  and  Pri 
vate  B.  Gray  son.  Wounded,  Privates  F.  Ebhardt,  A. 
J.  Carter  and  M.  R.  Newman. 

Company  G — Killed,  Lieut.  John  F.  Addison  and 
Private  John  Murfee. 

Company  H — Killed,  Privates  Clinton  Ballenger 
and  P.  Lannon.  Wounded,  Sergt.  James  E.  Grimes ; 


64  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Corp.  E.  G.  Barbour,  both  died  of  wounds ;  Color 
Corporal  H.  N.  Bradley ;  Private  H.  S.  Pitts. 

Company  I — None  reported. 

Company  K — Killed,  Private  Richard  Payne ; 
\YOimded,  Privates  James  A.  Singleton,  J.  O.  Pember- 
ton  and  Wm.  M.  Spillman,  the  last  two,  badly. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  ($5 


THE  BATTLES  AROUND  RICHMOND. 

WHEN  night  closed  in  on  the  30th  May,  1862, 
blindingly  vivid  lightning  and  loud  crashes  of 
thunder  betokened  the  approach  of  a  storm,which  soon 
burst  forth  in  terrific  fury.  "Wind  and  rain  penetrated 
everwhere;  the  camps  were  soon  deluged  and  the  men 
subjected  to  great  inconvenience,  for  the  darkness  was 
impenetrable  except  when  the  heavens  were  illumined 
with  electric  flashes.  Thus  it  continued  until  mid 
night  ;  as  it  abated  the  men  were  endeavoring  to  quiet 
themselves  down  for  at  least  a  short  nap,  when  a 
courier  rode  hastily  to  the  Colonel's  quarters,  the  long 
roll  beat  and  the  cry  of  "  Turn  out !  turn  out ! "  re 
sounded  on  all  sides. 

The  order  to  prepare  two  days  rations  was  issued, 
and  the  men  instructed  to  be  ready  to  march  at  a 
moment's  notice.  As  day  dawned  the  drum  sounded, 
and  the  Brigade  falling  into  line  moved  noiselessly  away. 
Passing  around  the  suburbs  of  the  city,  we  struck 
the  Williamsburg  road.  Small  streams  swollen  into 
rivers  by  the  storm,  had  to  be  forded  by  the  troops. 

When  about  five  miles  from  R.  the  Brigade  halted, 
then  moved  into  an  open  field  on  the  left  of  the  road, 
and  awaited  orders.  About  ten  minutes  to  one  o'clock 
the  first  gun  was  heard  in  our  front,  and  the  battle  of 
"  Seven  Pines  "  or  "  Fair  Oaks  "  was  opened.  Not 
many  minutes  elapsed  ere  the  sounds  of  rapid  firing 
6* 


66  HISTORY  OF  TEE 

from  the  pickets  rolled  towards  us,  then  gradually  the 
roar  of  heavy  musketry  and  the  air  filled  with  the 
din  of  strife  and  carnage. 

During  this  time  the  Brigade  moved  forward  and 
took  its  position  to  the  right  and  in  rear  of  the  fight 
ing.  The  battle  continued  during  the  entire  afternoon. 
About  four  o'clock  P.  M.  the  order  for  our  Brigade 
to  move  to  the  front  was  received,  and,  following 
Kemper,  we  double  quicked,  marching  at  the  rate  of 
seven  miles  an  hour.  It  was  the  last  march  of  many 
a  noble  soldier.  The  distance  was  more  than  a  mile  to 
the  battle  field,  and  as  we  filed  to  the  right  at  Barker's 
house,  our  left  flank  was  exposed  to  one  of  the  heaviest 
assaults  of  lead  and  canister  that  we  had  ever  passed 
through.  The  order  to  charge  was  given,  and  the 
men  moved  briskly  to  their  work.  The  following 
extracts,  as  copied  from  the  official  report  of  the  Col 
onel  commading  the  Seventeenth  Virginia,  will  show 
the  part  sustained  by  it  in  this  battle. 

"At  4  o'clock  P.  M.,  I  moved  my  Eegiment  by  the 
left  flank,  following  the  Eleventh  in  double-quick 
time  for  one  and  a  half  miles  down  the  Williamsburg 
road,  passing  for  five  hundred  yards  under  a  heavy  ar 
tillery  and  infantry  fire,  to  a  wood  pile  to  the  left  of 
the  Barker  House,  where  we  halted  for  a  few  minutes 
to  close  up  the  ranks  and  permit  the  men  to  recover 
breath ;  the  Eleventh  was  soon  put  in  motion.  I  fol 
lowed  by  the  left  flank,  filing  to  the  right  in  front  of 
the  redoubt  and  rear  of  the  Barker  House  and  the 
enemy's  camp,  and  the  open  space  beyond,  encounter- 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  67 

ing  a  galling  infantry  fire  from  the  enemy  stationed  in 
the  edge  of  the  woods,  and  meeting  numbers  of  our 
own  troops  falling  back,  which  prevented  me  from 
presenting  a  compact  line  to  the  enemy.  After  ad 
vancing  some  distance,  I  received  an  order  to  fall  back 
and  re-form  behind  the  trenches,  which  was  done  in 
tolerably  good  order,  which  position  we  held  until 
near  nightfall,  holding  the  enemy  in  check  until  they 
were  driven  from  their  position." 

"  The  Regiment  was  then  re-formed  with  the  Brigade, 
and  moved  forward  through  the  enemy's  camp  and  oc 
cupied  the  wroods  beyond,  from  which  they  had  been 
driven.  About  9  o'clock  P.  M.  we  were  withdrawn, 
and  bivouaced  a  mile  to  the  right  and  rear  of  the  posi 
tion  occupied  by  the  Brigade  in  the  afternoon." 

"  In  the  advance  into  the  enemy's  camp,  Color  Cor 
poral  Morrill  was  struck  down,  wounded  in  three 
places,  and  rose  upon  his  elbow  to  cheer  the  men  for 
ward.  The  colors  were  caught  by  Capt.  Raymond 
Fairfax,  Company  I,  and  handed  to  Color  Corporal 
Diggs,  who  instantly  fell  wounded ;  they  were  then 
taken  by  Private  Harper,  Company  E,  who  retained 
them  until  the  close  of  the  day.  Sergeant  Major 
Francis  fell  mortally  wounded  some  distance  in  ad 
vance  of  the  Regiment ;  he  w^as  a  gallant  soldier  and 
most  estimable  gentleman.  Sergeant  Basey,  Company 
F,  was  killed  while  gallantly  charging  the  enemy  far 
in  advance  of  the  Regiment.  Lieut.  Win.  Gray  was 
killed  whilst  bravely  cheering  his  men  on.  His  con 
duct  has  been  remarkable  for  heroism  on  every  occa- 


68  HISTORY  OF  THE 

sion  in  which  he  has  been  under  fire.  Capt.  Knox, 
Company  G,  Capt.  Fowle,  Company  H,  and  Capt. 
Burke,  Company  D,  were  wounded  whilst  leading 
their  companies.  Lieut.  Adie  was  wounded  whilst 
gallantly  doing  his  duty.  Lieut.  Thos.  V.  Fitzhugh 
received  a  wound,  whilst  passing  through  a  shower  of 
lead,  in  the  voluntary  act  of  carrying  an  order  to 
Colonel  Moore,  of  the Alabama  Regiment ;  Ma 
jor  Herbert  was  wounded  w7hilst  passing  through  a 
sheet  of  fire  to  take  charge,  by  your  order,  of  some 
companies  of  Col.  Moore's  Regiment,  to  the  right  and 
rear  of  our  position,  having  volunteered  for  the  ser 
vice,  Col.  Moore  having  previously  fallen  desperately 
wounded ;  Col.  Marye  acted  with  his  usual  gallantry.7' 

"  It  gives  me  great  pleasure  to  say  that  I  was  well 
and  bravely  sustained  by  my  company  officers.  I 
could  record  many  instances  of  distinguished  courage 
among  the  non-commissioned  officers  and  men,  but  for 
fear  of  leaving  out  some  who  are  really  deserving,  I 
shall  merely  say,  that  with  very  few  exceptions  they 
all  did  their  duty  faithfully  and  well." 

While  holding  the  line  beyond  the  enemy's  camp, 
after  nightfall,  the  men  stood  in  water  from  one  to 
three  feet  deep,  surrounded  on  all  sides  by  the  dead 
and  dying.  It  was  a  soul-harrowing  position.  On 
our  return  to  the  rear  we  passed  through  the  camps, 
where  many  secured  blankets  and  "  grub,"  •  -  two 
invaluable  acquisitions  to  cold  and  hungry  men.  The 
loss  of  our  Regiment  in  this  battle  was  very  heavy, 
over  70  having  fallen  killed  and  wounded  in  a  few 
minutes. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  69 

Partial  list  of  casualties  in  the  Seventeenth  Virginia 
Eegiment  at  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines,  May  31st, 
1862: 

Field  and  Staff— Killed,  Sergeant  Major  J.  F.  Fran 
cis  ;  wounded,  Major  A.  Herbert. 

Company  A— Wounded,  Sergt.  W.  E.  H.  Clagett, 
severely;  Privates  A.  C.  Fairfax,  severely,  R.  W. 
Avery  and  M.  L.  Price,  slightly. 

Company  B — Killed,  Private  E.  Broy;  wounded, 
Private  Stephen  Carder,  who  died  from  his  wounds. 

Company  C— Wounded,  Privates  C.  H.  Bradfield 
and  D.  Wallace. 

Company  D — Wounded,  Capt.  J.  T.  Burke,  Sergt. 
R.  Steel,  and  Private  C.  Cornwell ;  Killed,  Privates 
Thos.  W.  Lynn  and  C.  R.  Pettett. 

Company  E  —  Killed,  Private  Jas.  E.  Molair ; 
wounded,  Lieut.  Wm.  Simpson ;  Privates  R.  Roland, 
G.  Kreig,  A.  W.  Hicks,  D.  Bruin  and  R.  Allison. 

Company  F — Killed,  Sergeants  E.  Basey  and  Wm. 
R.  Smith ;  Privates  J.  D.  Brady  and  E.  W.  Burgess. 
Wounded,  Lieut.  S.  Harrison,  Corp.  Jesse  S.  Rogers ; 
Privates  E.  W.  Clowe,  M.  F.  Davis,  R.  Watson  and 
Chas.  Cogan. 

Company  G — Killed,  Lieut.  Wm.  E.  Gray;  Privates 
P.  Doyle  and  P.  Harrington.  Wounded,  Capt.  R.  F. 
Knox. 

Company  II — Killed,  Privates  W.  J.  Higdon,  W. 
H.  Lunt,  John  S.  Murray  and  Rodie  Whittington. 
Wounded,  Captain  W.  H.  Fowle,  Jr.,  severely,  Lieut. 
Thos.  V.  Fitzhugh,  died  of  wound  ;  Privates  D.  H. 


70  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Appich,  ill  head,  J.  W.  Baldwin,  died  of  wound,  E. 

F.  Baldwin,  Jas.  Godwin  and  "VV.  J.  Hall,  all  severely ; 
A.  Calmus,  R.  Young,  S.  D.  Smith  and  S.  K.  Sowers, 
slightly. 

Company  I — Wounded,  Lieut.  Geo.  C.  Adie  and 
private  P.  Eyan. 

Company  K — Killed,  Privates  Thos.  F.  Kane  and 
R.  Love.  Wounded,  Lieut.  A.  M.  Brodie,  severely ; 
Color  Corp.  C.  W.  Diggs,  severely ;  Privates  John  E. 
Fisher  and  Henry  Payne. 

In  the  height  of  the  battle,  when  the  fire  was  hottest, 
the  voice  of  a  wounded  officer,  Capt.  Knox,  Company 

G,  was  heard  in  our  front,  calling  for  some  one  to 
move   him   out   of  range   of  the   enemy's    fire  ;•  im 
mediately,  Lieut.  Kell,  Company  H ;  Lieut.  Powers, 
Company  G ;  Privates  Harrigan,    Company   G,   and 
Ashby,  Company  A,  all   of  the    Seventeenth   sprang 
forward  over  the  parapet  and  seizing  him  in  their 
arms  bore  him  to  a  place  of  safety. 

About  nine  o'clock  on  Sunday  morning,  July  1st, 
we  were  again  ordered  to  the  front,  and  took  position 
in  support  of  Stuart's  Horse  Artillery,  stationed  in  the 
captured  fort,  near  the  Barker  House.  The  battle 
was  again  opened  to  the  left  of  the  Williamsburg 
road  in  our  front  soon  after  our  arrival,  and  for 
several  hours  we  witnessed,  (without  engaging  in  it,) 
the  grandeur  of  an  Infantry  combat,  about  three 
hundred  yards  distant.  Several  lines  of  the  enemy, 
making  charge  after  charge  without  effect,  finally  gave 
it  up  and  withdrew,  leaving  us  victors  and  possessors 
of  the  entire  battle  field. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA   INFANTRY.  71 

Watkins  of  Company  H,  and  Hunter  of  Company 
A,  were  particularly  conspicious  in  the  heat  of  the 
first  day's  fight,  for  bravery  and  unearing  aim.  Guns 
were  loaded  by  the  boys  around  them,  arid  the  two 
standing  upon  the  embankment,  fired  as  rapidly  as 
they  could  take  the  guns  ;  the  colors  of  a  regiment  in 
front  were  cut  down  three  times  in  succession. 

Sunday  morning,  while  the  bullets  were  cutting  the 
air,  and  'the  shells  of  the  enemy  were  spluttering 
around,  several  of  the  boys  performed  the  last  sad 
offices  for  the  dead  of  Company  H,  who  fell  in  the 
battle  the  day  before.  A  grave  was  dug  in  the  circle  of 
the  fort,  and  the  remains  of  the  gallant  dead,  Higdon, 
Lunt,  Murray  and  Whittington  were  laid  side  by  side 
therein,  with  their  blankets  folded  carefully  about 
them.  The  last  named  had  joined  the  Company  but  a 
few  hours  previous,  and  in  the  flower  of  youth  wras 
cut  down,  without  even  a  sight  of  the  enemy  that  slew 
him.  As  soldiers  they  met  their  death  in  the  path  of 
duty  and  were  awarded  a  soldier's  grave — a  burial  in 
the  midst  of  strife. 

Sadly  were  the  duties  performed,  and  the  tears  that 
again  start  forth  in  the  review  of  these  pages,  bespeak 
in  strong,  deep  language,  a  memory,  that  words  are  too 
feeble  to  portray. 

The  gifted,  loved  and  noble  Morrill,  (the  one  who 
fired  the  first  gun  on  the  morning  of  the  24th  of  May, 
1861,)  as  brave  a  man  as  ever  entered  battle,  fell  on 
Saturday,  proudly  waving  in  the  enemy's  face  the  bat- 


72  HISTORY  OF  THE 

tie-torn  banner  of  the  Seventeenth  Virginia  Regi- 
ment.  As  he  fell,  courageous  and  true  to  the  last,  his 
memory  will  ever  be  enshrined  in  the  hearts  of  those 
who  knew  him. 

About  noon,  the  Brigade  moved  position  to  the  ex 
treme  right  of  our  line,  and,  after  throwing  up  rifle 
pits,  awaited  further  orders. 

This  battle,  in  which  the  Confederates  lost  over 
5,000  men,  was  one  of  the  hottest  of  the  war.  Gen. 
Johnston  was  severely  wounded  in  the  shoulder  and 
sent  to  Kichmond.  The  command  of  the  army  was 
then  given  to  Gen.  R.  E.  Lee. 

On  Monday  night,  June  2d,  the  troops  were  with 
drawn,  and  our  Regiment  returned  to  its  camp.  Sev 
eral  days  after,  our  camping-ground  was  moved  to  a 
point  on  the  left  of  the  Williamsburg  road  and  about 
two  miles  from  the  city. 

While  in  this  camp,  very  little  of  interest  beyond 
the  usual  routine  occurred,  and  the  25th  of  June  soon 
dawned. 

At  this  time,  orders  were  issued  for  the  troops  to 
prepare  to  march ;  this  being  done,  we  awaited  further 
orders,  which  were  received  on  the  following  morning. 
Our  Regiment  formed  and  moved  out  from  camp  in 
company  with  the  Brigade.  Numbers  of  troops  were 
moving  in  different  directions,  and  brigade  after  brig 
ade  was  passed  as  we  marched  partly  around  and  halt 
ed  on  the  suburbs  of  the  city,  near  the  Mechanicsville 
turnpike. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  73 

We  remained  in  this  position  until  late  in  the  day. 
About  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  guns  of  Gen 
eral  Hill  were  heard  in  our  front,  as  he  moved  his 
Division  against  the  enemy  who  were  strongly  posted 
around  the  village  of  Mechanicsville,  three  miles  dis 
tant  from  us.  The  battle  was  continued  until  late  at 
night  before  the  enemy  gave  way,  and  many  on  both 
sides  were  killed  and  wounded. 

About  dark  we  moved  forward,  and  halted  on  the 
narrow  causeway  crossing  the  Chickahominy  Swamps, 
where  the  night  was  spent,  the  men  and  officers  sleep 
ing  on  the  gravel  road. 

While  we  were  all  sound  asleep,  and  no  doubt  many 
dreaming  of  what  the  morrow  would  bring,  a  horse 
broke  loose  from  his  halter,  and  knocking  clown  several 
stacks  of  arms,  caused  quite  a  commotion  in  our  midst ; 
the  cry  of  "Look  out!  Yankees!"  &c.,  &c.r  broke 
frightfully  upon  the  ear.  Many  being  half  awaker 
must  have  thought  the  enemy  were  really  upon  us,  for, 
like  frogs  chased  by  bad  boys,  they  went  into  the  adja 
cent  ditches  headforemost.  About  fifty  were  com 
pletely  drenched,  and  looked  not  quite  so  self-possessed 
as  usual  when  the  cause  was  discovered. 

Early  on  Friday  morning,  (27th,)  we  crossed  the 
river  and  moved  slowly  forward  in  direction  of  the 
battle  then  in  progress.  Before  our  arrival,  General 
Hill  had  driven  the  foe  before  him  after  a  sharp  con 
flict,  and  was  following  close  upon  his  heels.  We 
passed  many  of  the  dead  and  wounded  of  both  armies 
in  our  march.  The  Federal  troops  had  fired  the  stores, 
7 


74  HISTORY  OF  THE 

camps,  and  surplus  baggage ;  clouds  of  smoke  filled  the 
air  before  us  as  we  advanced.  The  enemy  had  in  readi 
ness  for  our  reception  a  strong  line  of  works  well 
manned  in  the  vicinity  of  Gaines's  Mill,  against  which 
our  army  was  put  in  position  ready  to  drive  them  out. 
Their  line  was  so  well  chosen  and  so  strong,  that  time, 
perseverance,  and  superior  generalship  were  required 
to  dislodge  them. 

Longstreet,  with  the  Hills  in  his  front,  opened  bat 
tle  upon  the  well  organized  and  equipped  troops  of 
General  McClellan's  army,  about  noon. 

Brisk  cannonading  was  continued  and  good  show 
made  in  the  enemy's  front.  In  the  afternoon,  a  single 
gun  was  heard  far  in  the  enemy's  rear,  then  another 
and  another,  until  the  forest  around  resounded  with 
echo  upon  echo  of  artillery  reports. 

Soon  the  truth,  like  lightning,  flashed  upon  us  and 
was  carried  down  the  line,  that  "  Stonewall  Jackson" 
had  arrived,  and  the  guns  heard  were  his.  Now, 
kind  reader,  imagine  the  result !  A  yell  of  joy  broke 
forth,  such  as  may  well  have  struck  terror  to  the  hearts 
of  the  enemy,  and  the  lines,  as  if  by  magic,  moved  for 
ward  to  the  charge. 

Over  hill  and  vale,  field  and  morass,  swept  the  Con 
federates,  until  the  entire  line  of  the  Federals  was  car 
ried  by  the  bayonet. 

The  enemy,  like  a  wounded  lion  at  bay,  fought  with 
desperation,  doing  all  in  his  power  to  keep  back  the 
advancing,  victorious  army  of  General  Lee. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  75 

The  intrepid  McClellan,  by  far  the  best  General  in 
the  Federal  army,  had  found  his  match  in  General 
E.  E.  Lee,  while  the  flank  movement  of  "  Stonewall 
Jackson  "  (peace  to  his  noble  ashes !)  completely  out 
witted  the  "  Mogul "  of  the  Chickahominy,  and  caused 
him  to  seek  safety  in  flight.  Our  Regiment  was  not 
engaged  in  this  fight,  being  held  in  reserve,  conse 
quently  it  lost  none  of  its  men. 

The  number  of  killed  and  wounded  on  both  sides 
was  great ;  the  fields  and  woods  for  miles  were  filled 
with  the  dead  and  dying.  "We  spent  the  night  on  the 
battle-field,  part  of  the  Regiment  doing  picket  duty  in 
the  Chickahominy  swamps.  During  the  first  night,  as 
many  as  forty  of  the  wounded  enemy  died  in  our 
midst,  and  numbers  during  Saturday ;  most  of  the  day 
mentioned  wras  employed  in  removing  the  wounded  and 
burying  the  dead.  Just  after  the  battle  ended  on  Fri 
day  night,  companies  H  and  K  took  charge  of  1,400 
prisoners  and  escorted  them  to  General  Lee's  quarters ; 
after  guarding  them  during  the  night  these  companies 
were  relieved  by  cavalry  and  returned  to  the  Regiment. 
Many  of  us  saw  General  Lee  take  his  breakfast  in  the 
saddle,  about  daylight  on  the  following  morning,  before 
the  cavalry  relieved  us. 

Coming  out  of  the  house  in  which  he  had  passed  the 
night,  a  slice  of  bread  and  ham  in  his  hand,  he  mounted 
his  "  charger "  and  calling  out  to  his  aids,  he  said : 
"  Come,  boys,  it  is  time  for  us  to  be  off,"  and,  suiting 
his  actions  to  his  words,  he  galloped  away,  followed  by 
his  staff. 


76  HISTORY  OF  THE 

General  McClellan's  army  had  taken  the  direction 
of  the  Seven  Pines  battle-field,  having  crossed  the 
Chickahominy  via  the  "  Grapevine  "  and  "  McClellan  " 
bridges.  A  division  had  been  sent  toycut  off  his  retreat, 
but  failed,  and  he  was  allowed  to  proceed  towards  the 
James  River. 

On  Sunday  morning,  our  Brigade  crossed  at  "  Grape 
vine  "  bridge,  and  followed  the  enemy  at  a  rapid  pace ; 
the  day  was  very  sultry,  and  numbers  of  the  men  fell 
by  the  wayside  from  exhaustion.  Reaching  the  vicin 
ity  of  the  enemy,  on  Frazier's  farm,  on  Monday  morn 
ing,  June  30th,  1862,  the  Brigade  was  formed  into  line 
and  arrangements  made  for  battle.  Our  position  was 
on  the  right,  and  our  Regiment  was  on  the  extreme 
right  of  the  line. 

In  the  afternoon,  about  4  o'clock,  we  were  ordered 
to  charge  a  battery  on  the  opposite  hill,  near  the  Fra- 
zier's  farm  mansion,  and  the  troops  moved  forward 
briskly  to  the  work.  The  guns  of  the  enemy  were 
abandoned,  and  we  had  possession  of  that  portion  of 
the  field  for  a  short  time ;  but  a  terrific  fire  from  the 
front  and  an  enfilading  fire  from  both  flanks  caused 
us  to  fall  back ;  the  Brigade  having  been  unsupported, 
a  retreat  was  compulsory.  The  vastly  superior  num 
bers  of  the  enemy  enabled  them  to  almost  surround 
us,  causing  the  Brigade  a  severe  loss  in  killed,  wounded 
and  missing. 

The  following  extracts  from  official  reports  will  show 
the  part  sustained  by  this  Regiment. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  77 

Col.  M.  D.  Corse  says : 

"  Capt.  Simpson's  Company  (B)  and  Capt.  Kirby's 
Company  (K)  were  sent  forward  as  skirmishers,  with 
orders  to  advance  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  yards, 
and,  if  they  met  the  enemy,  to  engage  them.  The 
Regiment  remained  in  position  until  about  4  o'clock, 
when  I  received  an  order  to  advance  with  the  other 
regiments  of  the  Brigade,  which  was  done  with  spirit 
and  enthusiasm.  After  moving  forward  about  fifteen 
hundred  yards,  a  great  part  of  the  way  through  dense 
woods,  the  ground  covered  with  thick  undergrowth, 
fallen  timber  and  swamps,  which  rendered  it  totally 
impracticable  to  keep  a  compact  alignment,  we  en 
countered  the  enemy's  infantry  in  large  force,  with  a 
battery  in  position  playing  upon  us  with  grape  and 
canister  for  some  minutes,  when  the  left  of  the  line  of 
the  Brigade  commenced  to  fall  back,  and  an  order  for 
similar  movement  was  sent  along  the  line ;  from  whom 
it  originated  I  cannot  tell.  Soon  after,  the  enemy  ap 
peared  in  large  force  on  our  right  and  left  flanks ;  the 
men  stubbornly  stood  their  ground  until  greatly  out 
numbered,  and,  seeing  no  support  on  either  flank,  I 
rallied  a  few  men  on  the  colors  and  slowly  fell  back, 
making  repeated  stands  facing  the  enemy,  and  finally 
reached  the  position  occupied  before  the  advance  was 
made.  The  right  companies  of  my  Regiment  came 
upon  the  enemy  in  an  open  field  and  drove  them  from 
a  breastwork  made  of  some  fencing  and  earth ;  my  left 
companies  wrere  in  the  woods,  engaging  the  enemy  in 
front  and  on  their  right.'' 
7* 


78  HISTORY  OF  THE 

"  The  only  field  officer  I  had  with  me,  Lieut.  Col. 
Marye,  behaved  with  distinguished  gallantry,  and  all 
the  company  officers,  as  far  as  I  could  observe,  did 
their  duty  bravely  and  well.  The  non-commissioned 
officers  and  men  lost  none  of  their  reputation  for  valor 
won  at  <  Bull  Eun/  ( Williamsburg/  and  '  Seven 
Pines/  "******* 

Brig.  Gen.  Kemper  says  : 

"  This  Brigade  left  its  camp  on  the  Williamsburg 
road  about  dawn  on  the  morning  of  Thursday,  the 
26th  ultimo,  numbering  fourteen  hundred  and  thirty- 
three  muskets,  and  provided  with  three  days7  rations, 
which  were  carried  by  the  men  in  their  haversacks. 
The  Division  being  inarched  left  in  front  during  the 
late  operations  on  the  north  side  of  the  Chickahominy, 
the  First  Brigade  brought  up  the  rear  of  its  line,  and 
was  not  ordered  into  any  of  the  actions  which  occurred 
prior  to  Monday,  30th  ultimo.  It  was  held  in  reserve, 
however,  in  immediate  proximity  to  the  battle-fields 
of  the  26th  and  27th  ultimo,  as  well  as  that  of  the  1st 
inst.,  in  readiness  to  be  thrown  into  action  at  a  mo 
ment's  notice." 

"  Upon  the  30th  ultimo,  the  Division  was  halted  in 
the  vicinty  of  the  enemy,  on  the  road  leading  through 
Frazier's  farm,  and  under  the  orders  of  Brigadier 
General  E.  H.  Anderson,  commanding  the  Division, 
I  formed  my  command  in  line  of  battle  on  the  right 
and  nearly  perpendicular  to  the  road ;  one  regiment 
of  the  Second  Brigade  being  posted  in  line  between 
my  left  and  the  road.  My  command  constituted  th  e 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  79 

extreme  right .  of  our  general  line  of  battle,  and  was 
posted  upon  the  rear  edge  of  a  dense  body  of  timber ; 
the  Seventeenth  Virginia  Regiment  (Colonel  M.  D. 
Corse,)  occupying  the  right ;  the  Twenty-fourth  Vir 
ginia  Regiment,  (Lieut.  Colonel  Hairston  command 
ing,)  the  left ;  the  First  Virginia,  (Capt.  Norton  com 
manding,)  the  centre ;  the  Eleventh  Virginia,  (Capt. 
O.ey  commanding,)  the  right  centre,  and  the  Seventh 
Virginia,  (Colonel  W.  T.  Fatten,)  the  left  centre. 
Soon  after  getting  into  position,  I  received  orders 
from  Major  General  Longstreet,  to  use  the  utmost 
care  in  guarding  against  any  movement  of  the  enemy 
upon  my  right,  and  I  at  once  caused  Colonel  Corse,  of 
the  right  regiment,  to  change  front  to  rear  on  his 
left  company,  so  that  his  regiment  formed  an  obtuse 
angle  with  the  line  of  the  Brigade,  and  fronted  ob 
liquely  to  the  right.  I  also  caused  two  companies  of 
this  regiment  to  move  forward  from  Corse's  new 
front,  as  skirmisers,  under  command  of  Capt.  Simpson. 
After  advancing  several  hundred  yards,  these  skirm 
ishers  were  halted  upon  the  rear  edge  of  an  open  field,  a 
good  view  of  which  was  commanded  from  their  position. 
I  also  posted  Rogers  Battery  of  four  pieces  upon  an 
open  eminence,  near  the  right  of  my  line,  and  in 
supporting  distance  of  Corse's  Regiment ;  the  position 
being  such  as  to  command  an  extensive  field  upon  my 
right.  About  five  o'clock,  P.  M.,  an  order  being 
received  from  Major  General  Longstreet  to  advance 
my  line,  I  immediately,  in  person,  ordered  Colonel 
Corse  to  change  his  front  forward  so  as  to  bring  the 


80  MS  TORY  OF  THE 

right  of  his  Kegirnent  up  to  the  Brigade  line,  and 
sent  my  staff  along  the  line  towards  the  left,  so  as  to 
ensure  the  simultaneous  advance  of  the  entire  line. 
The  Brigade  advanced  in  line  of  battle  steadily  and 
in  good  order,  notwithstanding  the  unevenness  of  the 
ground,  which,  in  places,  was  almost  precipitous,  the 
entangled  undergrowth  which  filled  the  woods,  and 
the  firing  of  one  of  the  enemy's  batteries  located 
directly  in  front,  which  rapidly  threw  shell  and  round 
shot  over  and  almost  in  the  midst  of  my  command. 
The  advance  continued  to  be  conducted  in  good  order, 
until  very  soon  coming  upon  the  packets  of  the  enemy, 
and  driving  them  in,  the  men  seemed  to  be  possessed 
with  the  idea  that  they  were  upon  the  enemy's  main  line, 
and,  in  an  instant,  the  whole  Brigade  charged  forward 
in  double-quick  time,  and  with  loud  cheers.  Nothing 
could  have  been  more  chivalrously  done,  and  nothing 
could  have  been  more  unfortunate,  as  the  cheering  of 
the  men  only  served  to  direct  the  fire  of  the  enemy's 
batteries;  and  the  movement  in  double-quick  time 
through  dense  woods,  over  rough  ground,  encumbered 
with  matted  undergrowth,  and  crossed  by  a  swamp, 
had  the  effect  of  producing  more  or  less  confusion, 
and  breaking  the  continuity  of  the  line,  which,  how 
ever,  was  preserved  as  well  as  it  possibly  could  have 
been  under  the  circumstances.  But  a  single  idea 
seemed  to  control  the  minds  of  the  men,  which  was  to 
reach  the  enemy's  line  by  the  most  direct  route,  and 
in  the  shortest  time ;  and  no  earthly  power  could  have 
availed  to  arrest  or  restrain  the  impetuosity  with 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  gl 

which  they  rushed  towards  the  foe,  for  my  orders  pre 
viously  given,  with  great  care  and  emphasis,  to  the 
assembled  field  officers  of  the  Brigade,  forbade  any 
movement  in  double-quick  time  over  such  ground, 
when  the  enemy  Avere  not  in  view." 

"  The  obstructions  were  such  as  to  make  it  impossi 
ble  for  any  officer  to  see  more  than  a  few  files  of  his 
men  at  one  view,  and  it  was  apparent  that  any  effort 
to  halt  and  re-form  the  entire  Brigade  would  be  futile, 
and  would  only  serve  to  produce  increased  confusion. 
But  whatever  the  error  of  the  men  in  advancing  too 
rapidly,  in  disregard  of  previous  orders  to  the  contrary, 
it  was  an  error  upon  the  side  of  bravery.  After  ad 
vancing  in  this  way  probably  ten  or  twelve  hundred 
yards,  crossing  two  bodies  of  woods,  and  a  small  inter 
mediate  field,  the  line  suddenly  emerged  into  another 
field,  facing  a  battery  of  the  enemy,  consisting  of  not 
less  than  eight  pieces,  distant  but  a  few  hundred  yards, 
while  the  enemy's  infantry  were  found  protected  by  an 
imperfectly  and  hastily-constructed  breastwork,  and  a 
house  near  by.  At  the  same  time,  it  became  apparent 
that  another  battery  of  the  enemy  was  posted  a  con 
siderable  distance  to  our  left.  These  two  batteries  and 
the  enemy's  infantry  poured  an  incessant  fire  of  shell, 
grape,  canister  and  lead  upon  my  line,  and  did  much 
execution.  Still  there  was  no  perceptible  faltering  in 
the  advance  of  these  brave  men,  who  rushed  across  the 
open  field,  pouring  a  well-directed  fire  into  the  enemy, 
driving  him  from  his  breastworks  and  the  battery  in 
our  front.  The  guns  of  the  battery  were  abandoned 


82  HISTORY  OF  THE 

to  us  for  the  time  being,  and  my  command  was  in 
virtual  possession  of  the  chosen  position  of  the  enemy. 
A  more  impetuous  and  desperate  charge  was  never 
made  than  that  of  my  small  command  against  the 
sheltered  and  greatly  superior  forces  of  the  enemy. 
The  ground  which  they  gained  from  the  enemy  is 
marked  by  the  graves  of  some  of  my  veterans,  who 
were  buried  where  they  fell ;  and  those  graves  marked 
with  the  names  of  the  occupants,  situated  at  and  near 
the  position  of  the  enemy,  show  the  points  at  which 
they  dashed  against  the  strongholds  of  the  retreating 
foe.  It  is  proper  to  be  stated  here  that  the  left  of  my 
line  was  entirely  unsupported,  and  greatly  to  my  sur 
prise  and  disappointment,  for  I  had  supposed  that  the 
movement  of  my  Brigade  was  a  part  of  a  general  ad 
vance  of  our  entire  lines.  Up  to  this  time  no  firing 
was  heard  upon  my  left,  except  the  firing  of  the  ene 
my,  which  was  directed  upon  my  line  with  telling 
effect," 

"  Afterwards,  at  a  late  hour,  I  found  the  right  regi 
ment  of  the  Second  Brigade  (on  the  right  of  which  I 
had  originally  formed)  standing  fast  at  or  near  the 
position  they  had  occupied  in  the  beginning,  and  near 
the  line  from  which  my  advance  was  begun.  I  was 
informed  that  this  regiment  had  remained  from  the 
first  in  that  position,  having  received  no  subsequent 
orders  to  move  forward.  I  trust  I  shall  not  be  under 
stood  as  alleging  or  intimating  any  delinquency  upon 
the  part  of  the  Second  Brigade,  and  I  certainly  do  not 
undertake  to  say  at  what  time  that  Brigade,  commanded 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  $3 

by  Colonel  Jenkins,  advanced ;  but,  if  its  advance  was 
simultaneous  with  my  own,  it  must  have  happened  that 
the  lines  of  advance  of  the  two  brigades  were  so  diver 
gent  as  to  leave  a  wide  interval  between  the  right  of 
the  one  and  the  left  of  the  other.     Whatever  were  the 
operations  of  the  Second  Brigade,  they  were  doubtless 
in  keeping  with  its  proud  character  in  the  past  and 
that  of  its  gallant  commander.     All  that  I  undertake 
to  state  positively  in  this  connection  is,  that  the  right 
regiment  of  the  Second  Brigade  did  not  advance  for  a 
long  time  after  my  Brigade  had  been  moved  forward, 
and  that  at  the  time  when  my  command  had  obtained 
virtual  possession  of  the  enemy's  position,  no  Confed 
erate  troops  were  anywhere  visible  except  my  own.    It 
now  became  evident  that  the  position  sought  to  be  held 
by  my  command  was  wholly  untenable  by  them  unless 
largely   and    immediately    reinforced.     The    inferior 
numbersjwhich  had  alarmed  the  enemy,  and  driven  him 
from  his  breastworks  and  batteries  soon  became  appa 
rent  to  him,  and  he  at  once  proceeded  to  make  use  of 
his  advantage.     While  greatly  superior  numbers  hung 
upon  our  front,  considerable  bodies  of  the  enemy  were 
thrown  upon  both  flanks  of  my  command,  which  was 
now  in  imminent  danger  of  being  wholly  captured  or 
destroyed.     Already  they  were  capturing  officers  and 
men  at  diiferent  points  of  my  line,  principally  upon 
my  right.     No  reinforcements  appeared,  and  the  dire 
alternative  of  withdrawing  from  the  position,  although 
of  obvious  and  inevitable  necessity,  was  reluctantly 
submitted  to." 


84  HISTORY  OF  TEE 

"  Owing  to  the  difficulties  offered  by  the  wilderness 
through  which  the  Brigade  had  advanced,  the  task  of 
reassembling  and  reforming  the  regiments  was  attended 
with  much  trouble.  I  sent  out  details  as  speedily  as 
possible  to  direct  officers  and  men  where  to  reform,  and 
as  soon  as  this  task  was  accomplished,  imperfectly  it  is 
true,  but  as  effectually  as  was  possible  at  so  late  an 
hour  of  the  day,  I  repaired  to  General  Longstreet's 
headquarters  as  soon  as  I  could  find  them,  and,  under 
instructions  there  received,  it  now  being  night,  I  pro 
ceeded  to  select  a  suitable  position  on  the  road  in  the 
rear,  at  which  stragglers  could  be  arrested,  and  such  of 
my  men  as  had  not  then  come  in  could  be  re-collected." 

"  I  should  have  mentioned  before,  that  soon  after 
my  command  was  overpowered,  and  before  all  of  it  had 
fallen  back,  General  Branch's  Brigade  was  found  com 
ing  up,  and  General  Branch  was  shown  by  me  into  the 
position  which  my  gallant  men  had  vainly  sought  to 
hold  against  overwhelming  odds,  and  immediately 
afterwards  the  Third  Brigade  of  this  Division,  Colonel 
Hunton  commanding,  took  position  on  Branch's  right. 
If  it  had  been  possible  for  these  brigades  to  have 
advanced  simultaneously  with  my  own,  the  victory  of 
the  day  would  have  been  achieved  on  the  right  of  our 
line  with  comparatively  little  difficulty,  and  at  an  early 
hour.  When  my  line  emerged  into  the  open  field  in 
front  of  the  enemy's  batteries,  the  Seventh  Virginia, 
commanded  by  Colonel  W.  T.  Patton,  gallantly  assisted 
by  Lieutenant  Colonel  Flowrceand  Major  Swindler,  was 
in  good  order,  considering  the  difficulties  of  the  ground 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  85 

over  which  it  had  passed,  and  this  Regiment  and  the 
First  Virginia,  nobly  sustained  by  such  portions  of 
the  other  regiments  as  had  come  up,  made  the  first 
daring  charge  which  drove  the  enemy  from  his  posi 
tion.  Several  companies  of  the  Seventeenh  Virginia 
were  unavoidably  delayed  for  some  time  by  the  almost 
impassable  nature  of  the  swamp  at  the  point  at  which 
they  crossed." 

"  Praise  is  due  to  Colonel  Corse,  Seventeenth  Vir 
ginia,  and  to  Lieutenant  Colonel  Hairston,  Twenty- 
fourth  Virginia,  as  well  as  to  Colonel  ~VV.  T.  Patton, 
Seventh  Virginia,  (who  acted  with  eminent  gallantry,) 
for  discharging  their  duties  with  the  utmost  fidelity 
and  bravery." 

"  The  same  praise  is  accorded  to  Captain  K.  Otey, 
commanding  Eleventh  Virginia;  Captain  Norton, 
commanding  First  Virginia;  Lieutenant  Colonel  Marye 
and  Captain  Simpson,  of  the  Seventeenth  Virginia, 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy  while  discharging 
their  duties  with  conspicuous  gallantry.  I  am  satis 
fied  all  the  field  officers  did  well.  I  especially  com 
mend  the  good  conduct  of  Captain  "W.  T.  Fry,  my 
A.  A.  General,  and  Mr.  A.  Camp  Beckham,  who  acted 
as  my  volunteer  aid-de-camp." 

"  Among  those  reported  to  me  as  deserving  especial 
notice  for  gallantry  on  the  field,  are  Captain  Joel 
Blanchard,  Company  D,  and  Lieutenant  W.  "YV.  Good- 
ing,  Company  K,  Seventh  Virginia,  who  were  both 
killed ;  Lieutenant  \V.  E.  Harrison,  Company  A,  Ser 
geant  Major  Tausill  and  Color  Sergeant  Mays,  both 
8 


86  HISTORY  OF  THE 

wounded,  and  both  of  whom  had  distinguished  them 
selves  in  the  battles  of  Williamsburg  and  Seven 
Pines;  First  Sergeant  William  Apperson,  Company 
C,  who  was  killed,  and  Private  George  Watson, 
Company  F,  who  has  also  repeatedly  distinguished 
himself  for  bravery,  all  of  the  Seventh  Virginia 
Regiment." 

"  Captain  James  Mitchell,  Company  C,  and  Lieut. 
Logan  Robins,  Company  B,  First  Virginia  Regiment, 
both  of  whom  were  wounded ;  Lieut.  W.  R.  Abbott, 
Company  E,  and  Lieutenant  E.  S.  Dix,  Company  K, 
Eleventh  Virginia,  both  of  whom  were  killed ;  Lieut. 
Calfee,  Company  G,  of  the  Twenty-fourth  Virginia, 
who  was  killed  within  a  few  paces  of  the  enemy's 
battery,  and  Captains  Bently  and  Nowlin,  of  the  same 
regiment.  I  doubt  not  there  are  many  others,  omitted 
in  the  reports,  who  equally  distinguished  themselves. 
The  list  of  killed  and  wounded  are  made  up  of  the 
very  best  officers  and  men  of  which  my  command  could 
boast.."  ******* 

Major  General  Longstreet  says  : 

******  Troops  were  thrown  forward  as 
rapidly  as  possible  to  the  support  of  the  attacking 
columns.  Owing  to  the  nature  of  the  ground,  that 
concert  of  action,  so  essential  to  complete  success,  could 
not  be  obtained,  particularly  attacking  such  odds 
against  us  and  in  position.  The  enemy,  however,  was 
driven  back  slowly  and  steadily,  contesting  the  ground 
inch  by  inch.  He  succeeded  in  getting  some  of  his 
batteries  off  the  field,  and  by  holding  his  last  position 


SE  VENTEENTII  VIR  GINIA  INF  ANT R  Y.  87 

till  dark,  in  withdrawing  his  forces  under  the  cover 
of  night.  The  troops  sustained  their  reputation  for 
coolness,  courage,  determination  and  devotion  so  well 
earned  on  many  hotly  contested  fields.  Branched 
Brigade  of  Major  General  A.  P.  Hill's  Division  did 
not  render  the  prompt  support  to  our  right  which  was 
expected,  and  it  is  believed  that  several  of  our  officers 
and  men  were  taken  prisoners  in  consequence.  The 
other  brigades  of  this  Division  were  prompt,  and 
advanced  to  the  attack  with  an  alacrity  worthy  of 
their  gallant  leader.  They  recovered  and  secured  the 
captured  batteries,  from  some  of  which  the  troops  of 
my  Division  had  been  compelled  to  retire  for  want  of 
prompt  support.  The  odds  against  us  on  this  field 
were  probably  greater  than  on  any  other." 

"  I  would  also  mention,  as  distinguished  among 
others  for  gallantry  and  skill,  Brigadier  Generals  R. 
H.  Anderson,  Kemper,  Wilcox,  Pryor  and  Feather- 
stone,  (the  latter  severely  wounded,)  and  Colonels  Jen 
kins,  Corse,  Strange,  Patton,  Perry,  severely  wounded  ; 
Lieutenant  Colonel  Marye,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Cop- 
pens,  Lieutenant  Colonel  Koyston,  and  Major  Cald- 
well,  the  two  latter  wounded." 

General  Lee  says  : 

*  *  *  *  *  "  Huger  reported  that  his  progress 
was  obstructed  ;  but  about  four  P.  M.,  firing  was  heard 
in  the  direction  of  the  Charles  City  road,  which  was 
supposed  to  indicate  his  approach.  Longstreet  imme 
diately  opened  with  one  of  his  batteries  to  give  notice 
of  his  presence.  This  brought  on  the  engagement,  but 


88  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Huger  not  coming  up,  and  Jackson  having  been 
unable  to  force  the  passage  of  White  Oak  Swamp, 
Longstreet  and  Hill  were  without  the  expected  sup 
port.  The  superiority  of  numbers  and  advantage  of 
position  were  on  the  side  of  the  enemy.  The  battle 
raged  furiously  until  nine  P.  M.  By  that  time  the 
enemy  had  been  driven  with  great  slaughter  from 
every  position  but  one,  which  he  maintained  until  he 
was  enabled  to  withdraw  under  cover  of  darkness. 
At  the  close  of  the  struggle  nearly  the  entire  field 
remained  in  our  possession,  covered  with  the  enemy 's 
dead  and  wounded.  Many  prisoners,  including  a 
General  of  division,  were  captured,  and  several  batteries, 
with  some  thousands  of  small  arms  taken.  Could  the 
other  commands  have  co-operated  in  the  action,  the 
result  would  have  proved  most  disastrous  to  the 
enemy."  ******* 

The  loss  sustained  by  our  Regiment  was  heavy, 
having  three  officers  and  fourteen  men  killed,  two 
officers  and  twenty-one  men  wrounded,  and  thirteen 
officers  and  sixty  men  missing. 

The  crowning  effort  of  the  six  days  was  made  by 
both  armies  on  Tuesday,  July  1st,  and  the  bloody 
battle  of  "  Malvern  Hill "  was  fought.  The  two 
armies  rested  within  a  short  distance  of  each  other, 
panting  from  the  exhausting  struggles  of  the  past 
week.  The  hill,  occupied  by  the  enemy,  bristled  with 
at  least  three  hundred  pieces  of  artillery,  supported  by 
about  sixty  thousand  bayonets.  Below  and  partly 
around  this  mountain  of  iron  and  steel,  the  army  of 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  89 

General  Lee  was  posted,  awaiting  quietly  the  order  to 
strike  the  last  great  blow.  General  Lee,  in  his  report, 
speaks  of  the  enemy's  position  in  the  following  words  : 
"  On  this  position,  of  great  natural  strength,  he  had 
concentrated  his  powerful  artillery,  supported  by  masses 
of  infantry,  partially  protected  by  earthworks.  His 
left  rested  near  Crew's  house,  and  his  right  near  Bin- 
ford's.  Immediately  in  his  front  the  ground  was 
open,  varying  in  width  from  a  quarter  to  half  a  mile, 
and  sloping  gradually  from  the  crest,  was  completely 
swept  by  the  fire  of  his  infantry  and  artillery.  To 
reach  this  open  ground  our  troops  had  to  advance 
through  a  broken  and  thickly  wooded  country,  tra 
versed,  nearly  throughout  its  whole  extent,  by  a 
swamp  passable  but  at  few  places,  and  difficult  at 
those.  The  whole  was  within  range  of  the  batteries 
on  the  heights  and  the  gunboats  in  the  river,  under 
whose  incessant  fire  our  movements  had  to  be  exe 
cuted."  ******* 
Generals  Longstreet,  Jackson,  the  Hills,  McLaws 
and  others  were  there.  Ere  long  the  earth  around 
fairly  trembled  from  the  heaviest  cannonading  ever 
before  heard  upon  this  Continent,  and  the  infantry 
were  ordered  forward  to  the  charge.  The  lateness  of 
the  hour  in  which  the  advance  was  made,  the  uneven- 
ness  and  extreme  difficulty  of  the  ground,  ignorance 
of  the  country  by  subaltern  officers  and  other  causes, 
prevented  that  concert  of  action,  so  necessary  for  the 
attacking  columns,  and  not  a  great  deal  was  accom 
plished  before  the  darkness  of  night  put  a  stop  to  our 
movements.  During  the  time  that  the  troops  were 
8* 


90  HISTORY  OF  THE 

engaged  the  battle  was  terrific,  and  the  two  monsters 
grappled  hand  to  hand  upon  the  hill-top,  neither  side 
gaining  much  advantage. 

Night  had  closed  upon  the  combatants  side  by  side 
when  the  conflict  had  ended.  The  troops  of  both 
armies,  now  exhausted,  lay  perfectly  quiet,  the  well  in 
sleep,  the  wounded  in  the  agonies  of  death. 

When  the  following  morning  dawned  upon  the 
field  of  blood  and  carnage,  the  enemy  had  withdrawn, 
leaving  his  killed  and  wounded  in  our  possession. 

The  neighboring  farm  houses  were  turned  into  hos 
pitals  for  the  wounded  of  both  armies.  Federal  and 
Confederate  surgeons  united  their  efforts  to  supply 
their  wants  and  relieve  their  sufferings. 

Our  Kegimentwas  not  actively  engaged ;  its  position 
being  on  the  right  of  the  line,  it  received  no  attack, 
nor  was  it  ordered  to  advance.  From  that  field  we 
followed  General  McClelland  retreating  army  to 
Harrison's  Bend,  on  the  James  River,  where  we 
remained  several  days.  On  the  7th  of  July,  we 
returned  to  our  old  camp  near  Richmond,  whence  we 
had  marched  on  the  26th  day  of  June.  On  the  10th, 
our  encampment  was  removed  near  "  Darby  town,"  on 
the  James,  where  we  spent  a  pleasant  month,  during 
which  the  men  rested,  and  the  decimated  ranks  again 
filled.  Such  of  the  sick  and  wounded  as  were  able 
returned  and  the  spirit  of  the  men  was  unbroken. 

Partial  list  of  casualties  in  the  Seventeenth  Virginia 
Regiment  at  the  battle  of  Frazier's  Farm. 

Field  and  Staff — Lieutenant  Colonel  M.  Marye, 
missing. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  91 

Company  A — Killed,  Privates  R.  C.  Johnson,  D. 
McLee,  John  S.  Hart,  and  T.  A.  Partlow.  Wounded, 
Captain  W.  W.  Smith;  Privates  V.  "VV.  Ashby, 
T.  L.  Chase,  and  H.  B.  Eaches,  the  latter  severely 
and  left  in  the  hands  of  enemy ;  missing,  Lieutenant 
C.  W.  Green,  Corporal  William  Perry,  Privates  Win. 
Harmon,  A.  Hunter,  W.  J.  Paul,  R.  C.  Paul,  and 
J.  H.  L.  Sangster. 

Company  B — Captain  R.  H.  Simpson,  captured; 
Privates  P.  C.  Darr,  and  J.  W.  Steele,  killed. 

Company  C — Killed,  Lieutenant  G.  T.  Lamden, 
and  Private  James  M.  Wallace. 

Company  D — Missing,  Lieutenant  W.  A.  Bares, 
and  Privates  Newcomb  and  D.  A.  Marks. 

Company  E— Killed,  Corporal  G.  T.  Warfield, 
Privates  A.  Wools  and  Joseph  Bushby ;  wounded, 
Sergeant  J.  Proctor,  Corporal  S.  S.  Coleman,  Privates 
F.  Fields,  F.  Emmerson,  E.  Warren,  and  Thomas 
Hudson. 

Company  F — Killed,  Lieutenant  J.  N.  Hullfish, 
Privates  J.  R.  Burgess  and  F.  G.  Hixson  ;  wounded, 
Privates  J.  D.  Rollins,  M.  W.  Galliher,  and  J.  W. 
Cornwell. 

Company  G — 

Company  H — Killed,  Privates  C.  K.  Burgess  and 
H.  Fewell;  wounded,  Privates  V.  Brent,  severely, 
and  H.  S.  Pitts,  the  latter  left  in  the  hands  of  the 
enemy. 

Company  I — Killed,  Lieutenant  George  C.  Adie. 

Company  K — 


92  HISTORY  OF  TEE 


FROM   RICHMOND  TO  THE  POTOMAC 

ON  the  10th  of  August,  1862,  we  broke  camp  on 
the  Darbytown  road,  six  miles  below  Richmond, 
and  by  daylight  were  on  the  march  for  the  city,  which 
we  reached  in  time  for  the  Gordonsville  train.  That 
afternoon  the  Regiment  arrived  safely  in  the  village  of 
hard  boiled  eggs  and  chicken  bones,  and  bivouaced  in 
the  neighbouring  woods  for  the  night,  during  which 
we  had  full  benefit  of  a  soaking  rain.  The  following 
morning,  after  marching  a  short  distance  in  the  direction 
of  Orange  Court  House,  an  order  was  received  causing 
a  "  Right  about-face  "  movement,  and  we  retraced  our 
steps,  passed  through  the  village,  and  encamped  two 
miles  southwest  of  it. 

In  this  encampment  several  days  were  passed 
pleasantly  by  us  all ;  the  monotony  of  camp  life  being 
relieved  by  numerous  bathing  and  fishing  excursions. 
On  the  16th  of  August,  we  marched  in  direction  of 
Orange  Court  House,  and  owing  to  the  extreme 
heat  we  were  ordered  to  halt  during  the  middle  of  the 
day.  The  whole  army  was  moving  in  the  direction  of 
Fredericksburg.  We  passed  that  night  in  an  old 
encampment,  near  Taylors's  farm,  and  were  greatly 
refreshed  for  the  next  day's  operations. 

We  marched  on  Sunday  (17th,)  down  the  Plank 
road  and  again  on  Monday,  until  near  the  Rapidan 
river ;  here  Lieut.  Colonel  Marye  returned  to  us  and 
took  command,  having  been  exchanged,  after  his 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  93 

incarceration  in  Fort  Warren.  On  Tuesday  (19th,) 
we  stopped  near  Raccoon  Ford,  and  on  Wednesday 
crossed  the  stream,  marched  a  short  distance  there- 
down,  and  taking  a  southeasterly  direction,  moved 
towards  the  Rappahannock. 

While  approaching  Kelly's  Ford,  the  following  day 
(21st,)  the  enemy  opened  011  the  head  of  the  column 
from  a  field  battery,  but  were  soon  persuaded  to 
desist  from  such  amusement  by  one  or  two  rounds 
from  our  artillery,  and  the  command  proceeded. 

The  night  of  the  21st  was  passed  near  Stevensburg, 
where  the  command  rested  on  the  following  day. 
During  the  afternoon  of  the  23d,  we  arrived  at  Brandy 
Station,  O.  and  A.  R.  R.,  encamped  on  a  hill  near  by 
and  spent  the  night.  On  the  following  day,  a  heavy 
artillery  duel  occurred  at  Rappahannock  Station.  Sev 
eral  brigades  of  the  Division,  including  our  own,  were 
sent  forward  and  formed  in  line  of  battle  on  the  plains 
west  of  the  station.  There  was  some  picket  firing, 
but  towards  evening  the  enemy  were  driven  off,  and 
we  proceeded  up  the  river,  bivouacing  for  the  night 
near  the  small  village  of  Jeffersonto'n. 

On  the  25th  we  arrived  in  the  neigborhood  of 
Waterloo,  on  the  Warrenton  and  Little  Washington 
turnpike,  where  we  spent  the  night.  After  nightfall, 
while  we  were  eating  and  smoking  quietly  around  the 
camp-fires,  several  shells  landed  in  our  midst,  creating 
much  amusement,  as  they  did  no  damage.  We  remained 
here  until  late  the  following  day,  when  we  n* arched 
via  Amesville  to  Hinson's  Ford,  which  we  stum- 


94  HISTORY  OF  THE 

blingly  crossed  in  the  dismal  darkness  of  that  night, 
clambered  up  the  opposite  hill,  rocky  and  rough  though 
it  was,  and  succeeded  in  finding  a  suitable  place  for 
bivouac  in  a  wheat  field  on  the  left  of  the  road  lead 
ing  to  Orlean,  and  near  the  top  of  the  ascent. 

On  the  27th,  we  continued  the  marched;  about 
noon,  as  we  came  in  sight  of  the  town  of  Salem,  it  was 
ascertained  to  be  occupied  by  Federal  cavalry,  which 
rendered  a  halt  necessary.  Generals  Lee,  Longstreet 
and  Staff  rode  forward  to  the  head  of  the  corps  to 
reconnoitre,  and  while  in  this  position,  (rumor  says,) 
they  had  a  narrow  escape  from  capture,  a  column  of 
the  enemy's  cavalry  passing  within  a  short  distance 
of  them  without  noticing  them. 

Salem  having  been  vacated,  our  Corps  moved  on 
after  nightfall  until  midnight  when  they  halted  near 
the  Plains.  General  Lee's  Headquarters  were  es 
tablished  at  the  hospitable  mansion  of  Mr.  J.  W. 
Foster,  above  and  below  which  his  men  were  bivou- 
aced  for  miles. 

The  Federals  having  possession  of  Thoroughfare 
Gap,  in  the  Bull  Run  mountains,  it  was  deemed  expe 
dient  to  drive  them  out  before  joining  Jackson's  army, 
then  at  or  near  Groveton,  some  miles  east  of  the  small 
range  of  mountains.  The  Gap  was  narrow  and  held 
by  a  large  force.  A  brigade  was  detached  from  our 
Corps,  with  orders  to  cross  the  mountain  a<,  Hopewell 
Gap,  and  after  reaching  a  flanking  position  from  which 
they  could  fire  with  telling  effect,  to  open  upon  the 
enemy.  This  was  accomplished  and  resulted  in  the 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  95 

enemy's  retirement  from  the  Gap,  leaving  about  fifty 
dead,  and  consuming  almost  the  entire  day,  hence  it 
was  late  in  the  afternoon  when  one  portion  of  the 
Corps  passed  through.  General  Jackson  had  cut  the 
enemy's  line  of  communications  at  Manassas,  burnt 
his  stores,  trains,  and  baggage,  played  the  mischief 
generally,  and  had  quietly  fallen  back  upon  Grove- 
ton,  where  he  awaited  the  coming  of  Longstreet. 
His  guns  could  be  plainly  heard  as  he  defended  his 
position  against  the  forces  under  General  Pope. 

Having  marched  hundreds  of  miles  and  fought 
numerous  battles,  his  men  were  greatly  exhausted 
when  General  Longstreet's  forces  reached  him  on  Fri 
day,  the  29th  of  August,  The  delay  at  the  Gap 
allowed  General  Pope  time  to  concentrate  his  army  and 
meet  General  Lee  on  ground  of  his  (Pope's)  own 
choosing. 

Our  Regiment  passed  through  the  Gap  on  the  morn 
ing  of  the  29th,  coming  in  sight  of  Gen.  Jackson's 
army  and  the  enemy  at  a  passage  of  arms,  a  mile  or 
more  distant,  in  the  valley  below.  Our  timely  arrival 
ended  the  battle.  Gen.  Longstreet's  corps  formed  in 
line  on  the  right  of  Gen.  Jackson's  in  crescent  shape, 
extending  around  the  enemy  to  the  M.  G.  E.  R.  on 
the  right  of  the  turnpike. 

The  march  from  the  Gap  was  indescribably  severe, 
the  weather  being  exceedingly  warm  and  water  not 
obtainable,  except  in  ditches  or  stagnant  pools  on  the 
sides  of  the  road ;  these  were  eagerly  drained  by  the 
half-famished  men,  with  their  heat  and  green  slimy 


96  BISTORT  OF  THE 

skim,  regardless  of  the  animated  nature  which  at  other 

times  would  have  been  so  revolting  to  them. 

Our  Regiment  wras  sent  to  the  extreme  right  of  the 

line,  where  it  took  position  under  a  heavy  shelling 

from  one  of  the  enemy's  batteries,  posted  near   the 

Junction. 

C.  Fadely  of  Company  E,  had  his  arm  broken  by  a 

piece  of  shell,  and  was  sent  to  the  rear ;  one  other  of 

the  Regiment  (whose  name  we  cannot  now  recall,)  was 

wounded. 

We  moved  position  several  times  during  the  night, 

but  not  to  any  distance. 

The  morning  of  the  30th  of  August,  1862,  dawned 

upon  the  First  Manassas  battle-field,  again  lined  with 
troops  and  artillery  ready  for  action.  Not  a  sound 
arose  to  disturb  the  quiet  of  the  early  morning. 

Corn-fields  and  gardens  in  the  locality  sutFered  ter 
ribly,  no  rations  having  been  issued  to  us  for  several 
days  previous ;  these  were  our  only  resources  against 
the  ravages  of  hunger.  The  fields  around  were  dotted 
with  half-starved  Confeds.,  who  were  plucking  the 
daily  rations  of  corn  to  be  distributed,  three  ears  to 
the  man.  The  morning  was  passed  in  preparing  and 
eating  the  food  thus  obtained  ;  many  a  poor  fellow,  as 
he  feasted  upon  the  delicious  grain,  little  imagined  it 
to  be  his  last  repast  upon  this  earth. 

Ere  long  came  distant  rumbling  of  artillery,  and  all 
eyes  were  turned  in  direction  of  the  enemy's  line, 
whence  the  noise  proceeded,  Clouds  of  dust  arose  in 
our  front,  and,  as  they  drew  nearer,  the  stillness  was 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  97 

harshly  broken  by  a  cannon  shot,  followed  by  the 
bursting  of  a  shell  over  the  centre  of  our  line,  a 
notice  that  the  battle  was  about  to  begin. 

Gen.  Jackson's  Corps  met  the  assault  of  the  enemy 
on  its  centre  and  left ;  charge  upon  charge  was  made 
upon  its  position,  only  to  be  repulsed  with  the  inde 
fatigable  energy  and  unwavering  promptness  for  which 
the  "  Stonewall"  was  so  justly  famed.  A  part  of  our 
Corps  was  moved  to  the  front,  and  the  enemy  received 
from  its  veterans  a  heavy  blow  that  sent  them  reeling 
back  upon  their  reserves. 

The  battle  was  continued  all  the  afternoon.  About 
five  o'clock  our  Division,  commanded  by  Gen.  Kem- 
per,  formed  and  hurried  to  the  scene  of  carnage.  Our 
Brigade  was  commanded  by  Col.  Corse  and  our  Regi 
ment  by  Lieut.  Col.  Marye.  We  moved  in  upon  the 
enemy's  extreme  left,  and  striking  them  near  the 
"Chinn  House,"  where,  after  a  short  but  decisive 
engagement,  they  fell  back,  closely  followed  by  the 
Confederates  until  about  nine  o'clock  P.  M.,  when  the 
chase  was  relinquished. 

"  The  gallantry  and  skill  of  Col.  Corse  in  the  man 
agement  of  his  command,  Avon  for  him  the  admiration 
of  all  who  witnessed  the  conduct  of  his  Brigade  upon 
the  field.  He  was  wounded  while  leading  his  men 
and  had  his  horse  shot  under  him." 

"  Lieut.  Col.  Marye,  who,  while  bravely  leading  his 
Regiment,  was  wounded  by  a  minnie  ball.  He  lost 
his  left  leg,  the  ball  penetrating  the  knee  joint,  com 
pelling  amputation.  His  loss  from  the  active  duties 
9 


98  HISTORY  OF  THE 

of  the  field  was  seriously  felt  by  his  Kegiment ;  while 
a  brave  and  gallant  officer,  he  was  an  accomplished, 
courteous  and  high-toned  gentleman,  who  held  the 
confidence  and  esteem  of  his  comrades  in  arms."  (The 
above  is  copied  from  the  writings  of  Capt.  "Wm.  B. 
Lynch,  commanding  Company  C,  Seventeenth  Vir 
ginia  Regiment.) 

The  following  extracts  from  the  official  report  of 
Major  Herbert,  commanding  the  Regiment  after  the 
fall  of  Lieut.  Col.  Marye,  will  show  the  part  sustained 
by  it  in  the  second  battle  of  Manassas : 

"  Leaving  our  bivouac  at  Thoroughfare  Gap  on  the 
morning  of  29th,  we  soon  came  in  sound  of  the  guns, 
and  a  short  distance  below  Gainesville  in  sight  of  our 
batteries^  then  replying  rapidly  to  those  of  the  enemy ; 
were  soon  sent  with  our  Brigade  and  took  position  on 
the  extreme  right  of  our  lines.  In  taking  this  position 
we  had  to  cross  an  open  field  in  full  view  of  the 
enemy's  batteries,  which  opened  upon  us  with  a  hot 
fire  of  shell,  under  which  our  line  advanced  steadily 
and  coolly ;  our  casualties  were  two  men  wounded. 
We  were  afterwards  moved  with  our  Brigade  some 
three-quarters  of  a  mile  to  the  left,  where  we  remained 
under  arms  and  bivouaced  for  the  night. 

"  On  morning  of  30th  again  under  arms  in  same 
position,  and  remained  so  until  about  four  o'clock  in 
the  evening,  when  orders  arrived  for  our  Brigade  to 
forward  in  the  direction  of  the  Chinn  House ;  some 
one-half  mile  this  side  our  Brigade  was  formed  in  line 
of  battle,  the  Seventeenth  occupying  the  right,  Col. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  99 

Marye,  commanding ;  when  near  the  Chinn  House 
came  under  heavy  fire,  shell  and  musketry,  the  enemy's 
batteries  and  line  of  battle  being  in  full  view  on  the 
hill  beyond.  Our  line  advanced  firmly  under  the 
enemy's  fire,  and  not  until  the  men  commenced  firing 
and  advancing  did  any  irregularity  occur,  though 
many  were  shot  down  in  this  part  of  the  engagement. 
It  was  here  that  Lieut.  Col.  Marye  received  his  wound 
and  fell  nobly  doing  his  duty.  The  well  known 
bravery  and  good  conduct  of  this  officer  needs  no 
eulogy.  Our  Color  Sergeant  being  struck  down,  the 
colors  were  hardly  allowed  to  touch  the  earth  before 
they  were  seized  by  Corporal  Harper  of  the  Color 
Gruard,  and  by  him  carried  steadily  and  bravely  to  the 
front  during  the  remainder  of  the  fight.  Though 
somewhat  scattered,  our  Regiment  assisted  in  capturing 
the  enemy's  guns  and  driving  him  from  that  portion 
of  the  field." 

Private  Colernan,  Company  E,  taking  from  the 
enemy's  Color  Bearer  the  national  colors  of  one  of 
his  regiments,  handed  them  to  Colonel  Corse,  who 
waving  them  in  front  of  the  Brigade  added  life  and 
renewed  vigor  to  our  men.  Officers  and  men  with 
rare  exceptions,  behaved  well  and  were  conspicuous  for 
their  coolness.  I  beg  leave  to  mention  Lieut.  Gard 
ner,  Acting  Adjutant  of  the  Regiment,  Lieut.  Perry, 
in  command  of  Company  A,  Lieut.  Turner,  command 
ing  Company  C,  Lieut.  Wallace,  commanding  Com 
pany  F,  Lieut.  Tubman,  commanding  Company  E, 
Sergeant  Lovelace,  Company  H,  killed  on  the  field. 


100  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Privates  Harper  and  Manly,  Company  G,  Corporal 
Ryan,  Company  I,  and  many  others  whose  names 
cannot  be  learned  at  this  late  day  owing  to  absence 
from  wounds  and  death  of  officers."  *  *  *  * 
The  following  is  from  General  Longstreet's  official 
report : 

*  *      *      "  Early  on  the  29th,  the  columns  were 
united,  and  the  advance  to  join  General  Jackson  was 
resumed.     The  noise  of  battle  was  heard  before  we 
reached  Gainesville.      The  march  was  quickened  to 
the  extent  of  our  capacity.     The  exitement  of  battle 
seemed  to  give  new  life  and  strength  to  our  jaded  men, 
and  the  head  of  my  column  soon  reached  a  position  in 
rear  of  the  enemy's  left  flank,  and  within  easy  cannon 
shot.     On  approaching  the  field,  some  of  Brig.  Gen, 
Hood's  batteries  were  ordered  into  position,  and  his 
Division  was  deployed  on  the  right  and  left  of  the 
turnpike,  at  right  angles  with  it,  and  supported  by 
Brigadier  General  Evan's  Brigade." 

*  *     #     te  Three  brigades  under  General  Wilcox, 
were  thrown  forward  to  the  support  of  the  left,  and 
three  others  under  General  Kemper,  to  the  support  of 
the  right  of  these  commands.     General  D.  R.  Jones* 
Division  was  placed  upon  the  Manassas  Gap  Railroad 
to  the  right  and  in  echelon  with  regard  to  the  three 
last  brigades.      Colonel  Walton  placed  his  batteries 
in  a  commanding  position  between  my  line  and  that 
of  General  Jackson,  and  engaged  the  enemy  for  several 
hours,  in  a  severe  and  successful  artillery  duel.     At  a 
late  hour  in  the  day,  Major  General  Stuart  reported 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         101 

the  approach  of  the  enemy  in  heavy  columns  against 
my  extreme  right.  I  withdrew  General  Wilcox,  with 
his  three  brigades,  from  the  left  and  placed  his  com 
mand  in  position  to  support  Jones  in  case  of  an  attack 
against  my  right.  After  some  few  shots,  the  enemy 
withdrew  his  forces,  moving  them  around  towards  his 
front,  and  about  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  began 
to  press  forward  against  General  Jackson's  position. 
Wilcox's  brigades  were  moved  to  their  former  posi 
tion,  and  Hood's  two  brigades,  supported  by  Evans, 
were  quickly  pressed  forward  to  the  attack.  At  the 
same  time  Wilcox's  three  brigades  made  a  like  ad 
vance,  as  also  Hunton's  brigade,  of  Kemper's  com 
mand."  ******** 
*  *  *  "After  withdrawing  from  the  attack, 
my  troops  were  placed  in  the  line  first  occupied  and 
in  the  original  order." 

*  "  From  an  eminence  near  by,  one 
portion  of  the  enemy's  masses  attacking  General  Jack 
son  were  immediately  within  my  view  and  in  easy 
range  of  batteries  in  that  position.  It  gave  me  an 
advantage  that  I  had  not  expected  to  have,  and  I 
made  hast  to  use  it.  Two  batteries  were  ordered  for 
the  purpose  and  one  placed  in  position  immediately 
and  opened.  Just  as  this  fire  began,  I  received  a 
message  from  the  commanding  General,  informing  me 
of  General  Jackson's  condition  and  his  wants.  As  it 
was  evident  that  the  attack  against  General  Jackson 
could  not  be  continued  ten  minutes  under  the  fire 
of  these  batteries,  I  made  no  movement  with  my 
9* 


102  HISTORY  OF  THE 

troops.  Before  the  second  battery  could  be  placed  in 
position,  the  enemy  began  to  retire,  and  in  less  than 
ten  minutes  the  ranks  were  broken  and  that  portion  of 
his  army  put  to  flight.  A  fair  opportunity  was  offered 
me  and  the  intended  diversion  was  changed  into  an 
attack.  My  whole  line  was  rushed  forward  at  a 
•charge.  The  troops  sprang  to  their  work,  and  moved 
forward  with  all  the  steadiness  and  firmness  that 
•characterise  war-worn  veterans.  The  batteries  con 
tinuing  their  play  upon  the  confused  masses,  com 
pleted  the  work  of  this  portion  of  the  enemy's  line, 
ui-ud  my  attack  was,  therefore,  made  against  the  forces 
fin  my  front."  ******* 

*  *       *     «  The  battle  continued  until  ten  o'clock 
:at  night,  when  utter  darkness  put  a  stop  to  our  pro 
gress.     The  enemy  made  his  escape  across  Bull  Run 
'before  daylight.     Three  batteries,  a  large  number  of 
prisoners,  many  stands  of  regimental  colors,  and  twelve 
.thousand  stands  of  arms,  besides  some  wagons,  ambu- 
.lances,  &c.,  were  taken."  *         * 

General  Lee,  in  his  official  report,  says : 

*  *  "  Longstreet  took  position  on  the  right 
•of  Jackson,  Hood's  two  brigades,  supported  by  Evans 
being  deployed  across  the  turnpike  and  at  right  angles 
.to  it.  These  troops  were  supported  on  the  left  by 
three  brigades  under  General  Wilcox,  and  by  a  like 
force  on  the  right  under  General  Kemper.  D.  R. 
Jones'  Division  formed  the  extreme  right  of  the  line 
resting  on  the  Manassas  Gap  Railroad."  *  * 

*  *     *     *     "About    theree   P.   M.,   the  enemy 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY,         103 

having  massed  his  troops  in  front  of  General  Jackson, 
advanced  against  his  position  in  strong  force.  His 
front  line  pushed  forward  until  engaged  at  close  quar 
ters  by  Jackson's  troops,  when  its  progress  was 
checked,  and  a  fierce  and  bloody  struggle  ensued.  A 
second  and  third  line,  of  great  strength,  moved  up  to 
support  the  first,  but  in  doing  so,  came  within  easy 
range  of  a  position  a  little  in  advance  of  Longstreet's 
left.  He  immediately  ordered  up  two  batteries,  and 
two  others  being  thrown  forward  about  the  same  time 
by  Colonel  S.  D.  Lee,  under  their  well  directed  and 
destructive  fire  the  supporting  lines  were  broken  and 
fell  back  in  confusion.  Their  repeated  efforts  to  rally 
were  unavailing,  and  Jackson's  troops  being  thus 
relieved  from  the  pressure  of  overwhelming  numbers 
began  to  press  steadily  forward,  driving  the  enemy 
before  them.  He  retreated  in  confusion,  suffering 

f  O 

severely  from  our  artillery,  which  advanced  as  he 
retired.  Gen.  Longstreet,  anticipating  the  order  for 
a  general  advance,  now  threw  his  whole  command 
against  the  Federal  centre  and  left.  Hood's  two 
brigades,  followed  by  Evans,  led  the  attack.  Gen.  E,. 
H.  Anderson's  Division  came  gallantly  to  the  support  of 
Hood,  while  the  three  brigades  under  Wilcox  moved 
forward  on  his  left,  and  those  of  Kemper  on  his  right. 
Gen.  D.  R.  Jones  advanced  on  the  extreme  right,  and  the 
whole  line  swept  steadily  on,  driving  the  enemy  with 
great  carnage  from  each  successive  position,  until  ten 
P.  M.,  when  darkness  put  an  end  to  the  battle  and 
the  pursuit,"  *  *  *  *  *  *  * 


104  HISTORY  OF  THE 

As  we  went  into  the  fight  and  j  ust  after  passing  the 
"  Chinn  House/7  many  of  us  witnessed  the  charge  of 
one  of  Gen.  D.  R.  Jones7  brigades  to  our  right ;  they 
moved  forward  slowly  but  in  perfect  line.  It  was 
indeed  a  heart-thrilling  sight  those  men  presented 
marching  so  coolly  into  the  jaws  of  death. 

A  charge  by  one  of  Gen.  Stuart's  brigades  of  cav 
alry  was  made  soon  after.  The  column  of  horsemen, 
moving  like  the  wind,  soon  disappeared  behind  the 
woods  to  our  extreme  right,  leaving  but  an  impression 
upon  the  minds  of  the  infantry  of  what  cavalry  fight 
ing  was. 

This  battle  took  place  upon  the  first  Manassas  battle 
field,  the  lines  being  reversed,  we  holding  and  fighting 
from  the  position,  from  which  the  enemy  were  driven 
in  the  first  engagement. 

The  rout  was  complete,  and  as  in  the  first  Manassas 
battle,  the  enemy  retreated  by  way  of  Sudley  Mills 
and  the  Stone  Bridge,  leaving  knapsacks,  guns,  wagons 
and  every  conceivable  article  pertaining  to  an  army  in 
quantities  along  the  roads.  Their  dead,  wounded, 
many  prisoners,  and  a  number  of  guns,  fell  into  our 
hands. 

Our  Regiment  brought  from  the  field  five  stands 
of  colors.  The  Brigade  captured  about  sixteen  stands 
of  colors  and  four  pieces  of  artillery,  with  the  remain 
ing  horses  attached,  most  of  them  having  been  killed 
by  our  heavy  fire.  After  the  battle  we  bivouaced  on 
the  field  near  the  "  Chinn  House,"  where  the  night 
was  passed.  The  dead  were  buried  by  details  for 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         1Q5 

that  purpose  from  the  Division,  while  the  wounded 
were  brought  in  and  cared  for. 

Colonel  Corse  received  a  wound  in  the  leg  and  had 
his  horse  shot,  but  did  not  leave  the  field.  Lieut. 
Colonel  Marye  was  removed  from  the  field  in  the 
midst  of  the  battle,  and  several  of  the  men  were 
wounded  whilst  bearing  him  to  the  rear. 

Early  the  following  morning,  (Sunday  31st),  our 
Division  marched  forward,  took  the  Sudley  Mills 
road,  crossing  at  the  ford,  and  went  into  bivouac  for 
the  night  on  the  opposite  bank  of  Bull  Eun.  Our 
breakfast  that  morning  consisted  of  beef,  sliced  off  by 
us  as  we  hurriedly  passed  the  smoking  carcass,  slaugh 
tered  by  the  enemy  a  short  time  previous.  Rations 
issued  to  us  on  Sunday  evening  at  Sudley,  consisted  of 
two  crackers  and  about  one  quarter  of  a  pound  of  bacon 
to  each  man.  On  Monday  the  march  was  continued ; 
as  we  neared  Chantilly,  (a  long  name  for  a  small  Post- 
office,)  a  heavy  thunder  storm  overtook  us  soaking 
every  man  to  the  skin. 

Having  scarcely  tasted  food  since  the  morning 
previous  it  is  unnecessary  to  say  we  were  getting 
hungry,  but  we  comforted  ourselves  with  the  hope 
of  being  soon  overtaken  by  the  wagons,  which  to  our 
minds,  then  seemed  as  desirable  as  anything  that 
could  happen. 

A  fight  occurred  just  before  our  arrival  in  the 
valley  below  Chantilly,  in  which  Generals  Phil. 
Kearney,  (one  of  the  best  and  bravest  men  in  the 
Federal  Army,)  ^and -,  (name  forgotten)  lost 


106  HISTORY  OF  THE 

their  lives.  We  moved  into  a  meadow  on  the  right 
of  the  turnpike  and  prepared  for  a  good  nights'  rest* 
but  alas !  for  human  hopes !  We  kindled  fires  and 
were  in  the  act  of  drying  our  wet  garments,  when  the 
order  came  to  move  the  Brigade  to  the  front.  Passing 
to  a  piece  of  woodland  not  far  off  on  our  right,  the 
Brigade  entered,  single  file,  and  posted  sentinels  from 
the  rear  as  we  moved  through  the  impenetrable  dark 
ness  ;  our  Regiment  being  in  advance  had  the  longest 
march  and  after  going  about  a  mile  we  halted  and 
took  position  as  a  reserve,  supposing  ourselves  about 
fifty  yards  in  rear  of  our  pickets.  Imagine  our  aston 
ishment,  as  the  tedious,  dragging  night  at  last  gave 
way  to  the  coming  morning,  to  find  ourselves  facing 
our  line  and  between  it  and  the  enemy.  Front  to 
rear  was  soon  ordered  and  we  had  the  satisfaction  of 
hearing  that  our  foe  had  left  us  during  the  night. 
Fires  were  soon  blazing  in  our  midst  to  the  no  small 
enjoyment  of  our  rather  forlorn  looking  band,  who 
refreshed  themselves  for  at  least  an  hour  chewing  the 
substance  from  sassafras  twigs. 

Returning  to  the  meadow  where  the  fires  had  been 
vainly  kindled  the  evening  previous,  the  unwelcome 
tidings,  "  The  wagons  had'nt  come/7  greeted  us  on  all 
sides,  so  we  raised  our  "  flies  "  and  sought  forgetfulness 
in  slumber, 

In  the  afternoon,  a  wagon  load  of  provisions  arrived, 
as  a  present  to  the  members  of  Company  C,  from  the 
ladies  of  their  native  place,  the  good  old  town  of  Lees- 
burg.  The  unloading  of  bread,  hams,  cakes,  pickles 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          1Q7 

and  other  delicious  edibles  was  a  sight  productive  of 
indescribable  feeling  to  men  who  had  not  tasted  food 
for  forty-eight  hours.  Company  C,  composed  of 
noble,  generous  spirits  were  not  long  in  extending  to 
the  Eegiment  a  whole-souled  invitation  to  partake 
with  them  of  their  luxuries ;  a  second  invitation  was 
not  necessary,  as  we  most  promptly  accepted  and 
joined  them  in  the  feast. 

And  such  a  feast !  Who  could  forget  it  ?  There 
was  even  old  wine  to  wash  our  dinner  down !  Now 
judge  if  it  was  not  a  feast  ?  Can  any  one  wonder  that 
under  the  circumstances  we  review  it  as  one  of  the 
happiest  eras  in  our  soldier  life  ? 

The  next  morning,  (September  3d,)  we  took  up  the 
line  of  march  northward,  passing  by  "Frying  Pan 
Church,"  and  on  until  we  came  to  the  A.  L.  and  H. 
R.  R.  (at  Guilford  Station);  marching  thereon  in 
direction  of  Leesburg  for  a  short  distance,  the  head  of 
the  column  filed  to  the  right,  striking  the  Alexandria 
and  Leesburg  turnpike  south  of  Broad  Run,  and 
passed  down  the  road  until  near  Drainsville  where 
we  passed  the  night  quietly. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  fourth,  we  again  passed  over 
a  part  of  the  route  traveled  the  day  before,  and  about 
night  halted  near  Mr.  Robert  Harper's  farm,  two  miles 
south  of  Leesburg.  The  next  day  (5th,)  the  troops 
commenced  crossing  the  Potomac  river  at  the  different 
fords  above  Leesburg. 

Our  Corps  marched  through  the  town  the  same  day 
and  passed  the  night  in  the  vicinity  of  the  "Big 


108  HISTORY  OF  TUB 

Spring."  On  Saturday  (6th,,)  we  crossed  the  river  at 
Poland's  Ferry  and  marched  as  far  as  Monocacy 
river,  crossing  that  stream  and  bivouacing  beyond. 
Our  army  was  much  reduced  from  battle,  straggling 
and  sickness,  while  many  of  the  men,  for  want  of 
shoes,  were  ordered  to  remain  on  the  Virginia  shore, 

For  the  first  time  the  borders  of  the  enemy's  terri 
tory  were  crossed,  and  strict  orders  issued  by  General 
Lee  for  the  protection  of  private  property.  So  far  as 
destruction  of  grain  and  fruit  was  concerned,  it  would 
have  been  almost  an  impossibility  to  have  prevented 
starving  men  from  helping  themselves  whenever  ail. 
opportunity  presented  itself;  our  own  State  having 
been  stripped  of  its  standing  corn  for  the  sustenance 
of  both  armies,  it  was  not  to  be  supposed  that  Penn 
sylvania  wrould  suffer  less. 

Partial  list  of  casualties  in  the  Seventeenth  Virginia 
Regiment  at  the  battle  of  second  Manassas  : 

Field  and  Staff— Wounded,  Col.  M.  D.  Corse,  Lieut, 
Col.  Morton  Marye,  and  Color  Sergeant  Eobt.  Steele. 

Company  A  —  Wounded,  Lieut.  John  Addison, 
Corp.  Wm.  Perry,  Privates  A.  Hunter,  J.  S.  Mason, 
C.  A.  Smith,  and  J.  H.  L.  Saugster,  the  latter 
mortally. 

Company  B — Wounded,  Capt.  R.  H.  Simpson  ;  Pri 
vate  S.  F.  Spengler,  mortally.  Killed,  Privates  C. 
J.  Steed  and  J.  W.  Simpson. 

Company  C — Wounded,  Private  D.  Dove,  mortally. 

Company  D — Wounded,  Privates  P.  Ha  ward,  J. 
Sewall,  J.  D.  Newman,  E.  Beach  and  W.  S.  Ford. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          1Q9 

Company  E — Lieut.  Simpson,  wounded. 

Company  F — None  reported. 

Company  G — Wounded,  Private  D.  Manly. 

Company  H — Killed,  Sergeant  W.  A.  Lovelace  and 
Private  F.  Ballengen ;  wounded,  Lieut.  "W.  F.  Gard 
ner,  Asst.  Adjt.,  severely,  Sergt.  "VV.  H.  Boyer. 

Company  I — 

Company  K — Wounded,  Private  E.  Fletcher. 


10 


110  I1ISTOR  Y  OF  THE 


THE  MARYLAND  CAMPAIGN. 

ON  the  7th  of  September,  1862,  the  bivouac  on 
Monocacy  river  was  broken  tip,  and  our  Regiment 
marched  to  Buckeyestown,  and,  after  a  short  rest,  again 
took  up  the  line  of  march  and  halted  near  Monocacy 
Junction,  B.  &  O.  R.  R.,  where  the  men  (who  were  so 
disposed,)  enjoyed  a  good  bath  in  the  river.  On  the 
9th,  the  railroad  bridge  was  blown  up  by  our  forces, 
and  one  poor  fellow,  (whose  name  we  cannot  now  recall,) 
not  a  member  of  our  Regiment,  was  killed  whilst  bath 
ing  near  the  bridge  by  a  fragment  of  iron  from  it. 

On  the  10th,  the  line  of  march  was  resumed,  and 
we  passed  through  Frederick  City  and  Middletown, 
bivouacing  some  two  miles  beyond  the  latter  place.  As 
we  were  passing  through  the  last-mentioned  place, 
several  ladies  appeared  on  the  street  with  cockades  of 
ribbon,  red,  white  and  blue,  upon  their  breasts;  one  of 

our  men,  C ,  of  Company  E,  stepped  up  to  them, 

and  very  politely  touching  his  hat,  said  :  "  If  you  will 
take  the  advice  of  a  fool,  you  will  return  into  the  house 

and  take  off  those  colors ;  some  d d  fool  may  come 

along  and  insult  you."     The  advice  had  its  effect,  for 
they  at  once  withdrew. 

On  the  llth,  we  left  our  bivouac  beyond  Middle- 
town  at  5  A.  M.,  and  marched  through  Boonsboro', 
halting  for  the  night  about  five  miles  from  Hagerstown. 
On  the  12th,  we  started  at  7  A.  M.  and  traveled  until 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY. 

two  o'clock,  passing  through  Funkstown  and  Hagers- 
town,  halting  about  a  mile  beyond  the  latter  place, 
where  the  remainder  of  that  and  the  whole  of  the  next 
day  (13th,)  were  spent. 

While  here,  the  «  Pirooters  "  and  "  Pisanters"  (the 
latter,  a  sobriquet  given  to  Company  H  by  Col.  Corse,) 
were  busy  in  foraging  for  their  stomachs,  and  kept  no 
record  of  the  quantity  of  butter,  honey,  bacon,  &c., 
brought  into  camp  for  both  individual  and  social 
enjoyment. 

On  Sunday,  (14th,)  the  battle  of  "  Boonsboro,"  on 
"  South  Mountain,"  took  place.  Leaving  camp  about 
five  o'clock  A.  M.,  we  retraced  our  steps  through 
Hagerstown  and  Boonsboro7 ;  took  the  road  leading  to 
Harper's  Ferry  for  two  miles,  then  along  the  mountain 
side  until  we  came  out  on  the  turnpike  about  a  half 
mile  from  where  we  started.  Marching  several  hundred 
yards  further,  our  baggage  was  dispensed  with,  and 
then  up  the  mountain  side,  in  full  view  of  the  enemy, 
our  column  was  moved. 

They  opened  on  us  with  shell  and  grape,  enfilading 
our  line,  but  doing  very  little  damage.  This  was  about 
four  o'clock  P.  M.  The  Regiment  soon  after  moved 
to  the  edge  of  a  corn-field,  skirmishers  were  thrown 
out,  and  the  men  formed  in  line  of  battle.  While 
moving  to  this  battle-field,  the  sad  intelligence  reached 
us  of  the  fall  of  Gen.  Garland,  formerly  Colonel  of  the 
Eleventh  Virginia  Volunteers — a  man  that  was  loved 
and  honored  for  his  gentlemanly  courtesy  and  noble 
bearing  by  all  the  Brigade.  The  Seventeenth  and  the 


112  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Eleventh  had  been  on  the  most  friendly  terms  since 
their  first  encampment  at  Manassas,  and  had  fought 
side  by  side  on  every  battle-field.  Brothers  in  arms, 
they  felt  themselves  brothers  in  heart,  and  the  fortunes 
of  each  were  watched  over  and  guarded  by  the  other. 
Their  blood  had  been  mingled  in  many  a  hard-fought 
battle;  their  tears  had  blended  o'er  many  a  loved 
one's  grave;  now  they  sorrowed,  as  with  one  heart, 
for  the  brave  Commander  who  had  been  friend  and 
comrade  to  each,  and  the  conservatory  of  each  heart 
still  nurtures  the  myrtle  and  cypress  enwreathing  his 
memory. 

In  this  battle,  the  Seventeenth,  though  greatly  out 
numbered  by  the  opposing  forces,  held  their  own .  Maj  or 
Arthur  Herbert  was  not  with  the  Seventeenth  Virginia 
on  this  day,  but  commanded  the  Seventh  Virginia 
Infantry,  with  which  he  passed  safely  through  the 
battle. 

The  following  is  from  the  official  report  of  Colonel 
Corse,  who  was  slightly  wrounded  during  the  engage 
ment : 

"  My  Regiment  was  placed  in  line  of  battle  about 
four  o'clock  P.  M.,  in  a  field  to  the  right  of  the  road 
leading  to  the  summit  of  the  mountain,  and  to  the  left 
of  Crampton's  Gap.  In  the  act  of  taking  that  position, 
the  Regiment  was  subjected  to  a  very  fierce  shelling 
from  a  battery  of  the  enemy,  which  enfiladed  our  line ; 
fortunately,  however,  we  suifered  very  little  loss  from 
that,  having  but  two  men  slightly  wounded." 

"  I  moved  the  Regiment  forward  about  a  hundred 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          H3 

yards,  by  your  order,  towards  a  woods  in  our  front  and 
ordered  Lieut.  Lehew,  with  his  company,  to  deploy 
forward  as  skirmishers  into  the  woods  and  to  engage 
the  enemy,  which  were  supposed  to  be  there;  very 
soon  I  heard  shots  from  our  skirmishers;  your  aid, 
Capt.  Beckham,  at  this  time  delivered  me  an  order  to 
move  my  Regiment  by  the  left  flank  and  to  connect  my 
line  with  the  Eleventh,  occupying  a  corn-field,  which 
order  was  obeyed ;  we  remained  in  this  position  a  few 
minutes,  when  Col.  Stewart's  Eegiment  (Fifty-sixth 
Virginia),  Pickett's  Brigade,  joined  my  right.  Imme 
diately  the  brigade  on  our  right  became  hotly  engaged ; 
we  reserved  our  fire,  no  enemy  appearing  in  our  front." 

"  After  the  fire  had  continued  about  fifteen  minutes, 
Col.  Stewart  reported  to  me  that  the  troops  on  his  right 
had  fallen  back.  I  also  observed  that  they  had  aban 
doned  the  left  of  the  Eleventh.  I  communicated  my 
intention  to  Col.  Stewart  and  Major  Clement,  of  the 
Eleventh,  to  fall  back  about  ten  or  fifteen  steps  behind 
a  fence,  which  was  simultaneously  done  by  the  three 
regiments  in  good  order.  WQ  held  this  position  until 
long  after  dark,  under  a  severe  fire  of  musketry 
obliquely  on  our  right  flank  and  in  front,  until  nearly 
every  cartridge  was  exhausted.  Shortly  after  the 
enemy  had  ceased  firing,  about  half-past  seven  o'clock 
P.  M.,  I  received  your  order  to  withdraw  my  Regi 
ment,  which  was  done  in  good  order,  and  halted  to  rest 
on  the  Boonsboro7  and  Frederick  Town  road,  with  the 
other  regiments  of  your  Brigade." 

"  In  this  engagement  I  was  particularly  struck  with 
10* 


114  HISTOR  Y  OF  THE 

the  determined  courage  of  officers  and  men ;  they  held 
their  ground  manfully  against  a  largely  superior  num 
ber,  as  far  as  I  could  judge,  from  the  heavy  fire  of  the 
enemy  upon  our  right  and  front.  Those  who  deserve 
particular  mention  for  distinguished  gallantry  and 
activity  were  Capt.  J.  T.  Burke,  of  Company  D,  Lieut. 
Thos.  Perry,  of  Company  A,  Lieut.  Turner,  of  Com 
pany  B,  Color  Corporal  Murphy,  of  Company  C,  Color 
'Corporal  Harper,  of  Company  E,  who  won  my  highest 
admiration  for  their  cool  bravery." 

The  following  is  from  the  official  report  of  General 
•J.  T.  Longstreet : 

*  *  *  a  ^ye  succeeded  in  repulsing  the  repeated 
;and  powerful  attacks  of  the  enemy,  and  in  holding 
•our  position  till  night  put  an  end  to  the  battle.  It 
•was  short  but  very  fierce.  Some  of  our  most  gallant 
•officers  and  men  fell  in  this  struggle,  among  them  the 
•brave  Colonel  J.  B.  Strange,  of  the  Nineteenth  Vir 
ginia  Regiment." 

After  the  battle  was  over  our  Regiment  returned  to 
where  their  baggage  had  been  left,  resting  until  all 
-the  wounded  from  the  field  had  been  brought  in  and 
•eared  for.  We  then  took  up  the  line  of  march,  pass- 
Ing  back  through  Boonsboro'  and  taking  the  road  to 
Harper's  Ferry.  On  the  morning  of  the  15th,  after 
a  weary  night's  march,  we  halted  near  the  small  town 
of  Kistersville  and  were  allowed  time  to  cook  and  eat 
breakfast,  after  which  we  again  started,  marched  to 
Sharpsburg  and  took  our  position  in  line  of  battle 
southeast  of  the  town.  Soon  after  sun-rise  on  the  fol- 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  H5 

lowing  morning  (16th,)  the  enemy  commenced  shelling, 
our  batteries  replying  slowly  ;  near  noon  a  battery  of 
eight  pieces  on  our  left  opened,  and  a  most  terrific  artil 
lery  duel  commenced.  Our  batteries  being  situated  in 
front  of  Sharpsburg,  the  shots  from  the  enemy  passed 
over  our  heads,  bursted  and  fell  in  the  town,  from  the 
effects  of  which  many  of  the  houses  suffered  terribly. 

At  midnight,  four  men  from  the  Regiment  (Hough, 
Company  A,  Lewis,  Company  E,  Sherwood,  Company 
F,  and  a  member  of  Company  D,  whose  name  we  have 
forgotten,)  were  detailed  and  sent  back  to  cook ;  after 
getting  flour  from  the  provision  train,  two  miles  to  the 
rear,  they  returned  to  Sharpsburg  to  borrow  utensils  in 
which  to  bake  bread — our  wagons  having  taken  the 
wrong  road  and  left  us  destitute.  Most  of  the  citizens 
had  deserted  their  homes,  and  there  was  some  difficulty 
in  borrowing  from  the  few  who  remained,  consequently, 
it  was  nearly  daylight  when  they  met  to  commence 
operations,  having  obtained  one  skillet  and  an  old  oven 
with  the  bottom  half  out.  They  were  genuine  men,  not 
easily  baffled ;  they  persevered,  but  had  hardly  made 
up  one  batch  of  dough  when  the  guns  of  the  enemy 
opened  again,  and  the  shells  falling  about  them  com 
pelled  a  change  of  position.  Two  shells  bursted  in  the 
yard  in  which  they  were  cooking,  about  ten  yards  in 
front  of  them;  two  more  struck  the  house  behind  which 
they  were  standing,  and  a  fifth  struck  the  adjoining 
house,  bursted  inside  and  set  it  on  fire. 

They  retreated  and  sought  refuge  in  the  cellar,  but 
even  that  proved  unsafe — a  shell  came  down  through 


$. 


116  HISTOR  Y  OF  THE 

two  floors  into  their  midst  and  buried  itself  in  the 
ground,  fortunately  without  bursting,  else  all  would 
inevitably  have  been  killed.  From  cellar  to  yard  again 
they  flew,  where,  the  enemy's  fire  having  abated,  they 
continued  their  cooking.  About  four  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon,  Hough  and  Lewis  started  for  the  Regiment 
with  a  batch  of  biscuits,  and  just  after  their  return 
from  delivering  them  the  battle  opened  fiercely  along 
the  line.  The  "  Report "  of  the  "  Captain "  of  the 
squad  closes  thus  :  "  The  cooks  were  now  ordered  to 
retreat  out  of  town,  which  they  did  i  in  good  order/ 
but  making  very  good  time." 

The  ranks  of  the  Seventeenth  Regiment  had  been 
greatly  reduced  by  the  hard  marches,  desperate  battles 
and  the  excessive  toils  of  the  preceding  thirty  days. 
The  small  number  carried  into  the  battle  of  Sharps- 
burg,  as  will  be  shown  by  extracts  from  official  sources 
further  on  in  the  succeeding  pages,  was  diminished  yet 
more,  until  but  a  handful  of  that  once  numerous,  fear 
less  body  of  troops,  now  rallied  around  their  battle 
stained  banner.  The  battle  was  severe  upon  our 
Regiment,  for  nearly  all  that  went  into  the  fight 
were  either  killed,  wounded  or  captured.  "  The 
gallantry  of  the  command,  (wrote  an  officer  of  our 
Regiment,)  was  never  more  conspicuous  than  in  those 
engagements." 

The  following  is  from  the  report  of  Colonel  Corse, 
who  was  wounded  and  fell  into  the  hands  of  the 
enemy,  but  was  afterwards  rescued  by  Tooinbs' 
Brigade. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          H7 

"  About  four  o'clock  P.  M.,  the  enemy  was  reported 
to  be  advancing ;  we  moved  forward  with  the  First 
and  Eleventh  regiments  of  the  Brigade  (the  Seventh 
and  Twenty-fourth  being  detached  to  operate  on  some 
other  part  of  the  field)  to  the  top  of  the  hill  to  a  fence, 
and  immediately  engaged  the  enemy  at  a  distance  of 
fifty  or  sixty  yards,  at  the  game  time  under  fire  from 
their  batteries  on  the  hills  beyond." 

"  My  Regiment  being  the  extreme  right  of  the  line 
then  engaging  the  enemy,  came  directly  opposite  the 
colors  of  the  regiment  to  which  it  was  opposed,  con 
sequently  being  overlapped  by  them,  as  far  as  I  could 
judge,  at  least  a  hundred  yards.  Regardless  of  the 
great  odds  against  them,  the  men  courageously  stood 
their  ground,  until  overwhelmed  by  superior  numbers, 
were  forced  to  retire." 

"  I  have  to  state  here,  General,  that  we  put  into  the 
fight  but  forty-six  enlisted  men  and  nine  officers,  out 
of  this  number  seven  officers  and  twenty-four  men 
were  killed  and  wounded  and  ten  taken  prisoners." 

"  It  was  here  that  Captain  J.  T.  Burke  and  Lieut. 
Littleton  fell,  two  of  the  bravest  and  most  valuable 
officers  of  my  command.  Color  Corporal  Harper  also 
fell  fighting  heroically  at  his  post,  these  brave  men  I 
think  deserve  particular  mention.  I  received  a  wound 
in  the  foot  which  prevented  me  from  retiring  with 
our  line  and  was  left  in  the  hands  of  the  enemy  for  a 
short  time,  but  was  soon  rescued  by  General  Toombs' 
Brigade  and  a  portion  of  yours,  who  drove  the  enemy 
back  beyond  the  line  we  had  occupied  in  the  morning." 


118  HIS  TOR  Y  OF  THE 

"  I  saw  Major  Herbert  come  up  with  a  portion  of 
the  men  of  the  First,  Eleventh  and  Seventeenth  re 
giments  of  your  Brigade  on  the  left  of  General  Toombs' 
line,  cheering  the  men  on  with  his  accustomed  cool 
and  determined  valor.  Lieut.  "W.  \V.  Athey,  Com 
pany  C,  captured  a  regimental  color  of  the  103d  New 
York  Regiment,  presented  to  them  by  the  city  council 
of  New  York  City,  which  I  herewith  forward  to  you ; 
my  wound  being  painful  I  rode  to  the  surgeon  to  have 
it  examined,  leaving  the  command  to  Major  Herbert." 

The  following  is  from  General  Longstreet's  official 
report,  he  says : 

*  *     *     «  Before  it  was  entirely  dark,  the  hundred 
thousand  men  that  had  been  threatening  our  destruc 
tion  for  twelve  hours,  had  melted  away  into  a  few 
stragglers."          *          *         *  ^      *         *         *         * 

*  *     *    <t  r£hQ  name  Of  every  officer,  non-commis 
sioned  officer  and  private,  who  has  shared  in  the  toils 
and  privations  of  this  campaign,  should  be  mentioned. 
In   one  month,  these  troops  had  marched  over  two 
hundred  miles,  upon  little  more  than  half  rations,  and 
fought   nine  battles  and  skirmishes,  killed,  wounded 
and  captured  nearly  as  many  men  as  we  had  in  our 
ranks,  besides  taking  arms  and  other  munitions  of  war 
in  large  quantities.     I  would  that  I  could  do  justice 
to  all  of  these  gallant  officers  and  men  in  this  report. 
As  that  is  impossible,  I  shall  only  mention  those  most 
prominently  distinguished.     These  were    *     *     *     * 
Brig.  Gen.  Kemper,  at  Manassas  plains,  Boonsboro' 
and  Sharpsburg.  Colonels  Hunton, 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         H9 

Corse,  Stuart,  Stevens,  Hately,  (severely  wounded,) 
and  Walker  (commanding  Jenkins'  Brigade,  after  the 
latter  was  wounded,)  at  Manassas  plains,  Boonsboro' 
and  Sharpsburg.  *  *  *.  *  Lieut.  Colonels 
Skinner  and  Marye,  at  Manassas  plains,  where  they 
were  both  severely  wounded. " 

The  remainder  of  the  Regiment  spent  the  night 
near  the  battle  field  about  half  a  mile  out  of  town. 
The  next  day  was  passed  in  apparent  quiet,  with 
nothing  occurring  to  disturb  the  men  but  an  occasional 
"  whiz  "  from  some  sharp-shooter's  passing  bullet. 

The  Regiment  returned  to  their  old  position  on  the 
line  and  held  it  during  the  day. 

About  nine  o'clock  on  the  night  of  the  18th,  we 
again  took  up  the  line  of  march  in  direction  of  Shep- 
herdstown  ;  crossing  the  canal  and  river  about  half  a 
mile  below  the  town,  we  found  the  wrater  very  cold 
and  about  waist  deep,  but  it  brought  us  once  more  to 
Virginia  soil. 

After  crossing  the  river  a  very  amusing  scene  oc 
curred.  Major  Herbert  had  received  orders  to  follow 
Dray  ton's  Brigade ;  in  the  darkness  and  confusion  arising 
from  fording  we  had  entirely  lost  sight  of  it  and  were 
hurrying  forward  to  overtake  it.  We  were  to  pass  up 
a  narrow  ravine  in  front  of  us  which  would  admit  but 
one  regiment  four  abreast  at  a  time.  At  its  mouth, 
coming  from  another  direction  we  met  the  Fifth  North 
Carolina  and,  as  both  could  not  enter,  Major  Herbert 
explained  to  the  Major  in  command  of  the  Fifth,  that 
we  had  to  follow  Drayton,  being  under  orders  to  do  so 


120  HISTORY  OF  TEE 

— to  which  from  some  misapprehension  of  the  circum 
stances  perhaps,  our  friend  from  the  good  old  State  as 
renowned  for  its  patriotism  as  for  its  "  Tar  and  Tur 
pentine/'  paid  no  attention,  but  ordered  his  men 
forward.  Herbert  also  gave  the  order:  "Forward 
Seventeenth,"  and  the  head  of  the  two  columns  met 
in  the  mouth  of  the  ravine,  and  such  a  scene  took 
place  as  was  never  before  witnessed. 

The  repeated  orders  :  "  Forward  Seventeenth ; " 
"  Forward  Fifth ; "  and  from  Mitchell  in  rear  com 
manding  the  Eleventh  "  Forward  men,  follow  the  old 
Seventeenth,  and  don't  let  them  get  between  you  " — 
rang  out  upon  the  midnight  air.  The  Fifth  was 
jammed  against  the  sides  of  the  steep  rocky  ravine, 
while  many  clambered  up  the  hill  side  and  clung  to 
the  roots,  as  we  passed  triumphantly  through.  The 
victory  was  announced  with  a  shout  from  the  boys 
and  "  Come  along  Fifth  ? "  sent  back  upon  the  ears 
of  our  necessarily  inhospitably  treated  friends  from 
North  Carolina. 

"We  marched  four  miles  from  the  river  and  rested 
as  day  was  breaking.  In  an  hour  and  a  half  we  were 
ordered  back  towards  the  river  and  after  returning 
two  miles,  we  halted,  stacked  arms  and  awaited  further 
orders.  An  attack  had  been  made  by  the  enemy's 
cavalry  at  the  crossing,  but  they  were  beaten  back. 
About  five  o'clock  P.  M.  we  left  there,  reached  the 
turnpike  leading  to  Winchester,  and  after  marching 
several  miles  thereon,  we  stopped  in  the  woods  where 
the  night  and  the  greater  part  of  the  following  day 
were  passed. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  121 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  20tb,  about  five  o'clock,  we 
started  again  taking  the  road  to  Martinsburg,  halted 
about  fifteen  minutes  past  one  o'clock  A.  M.  within 
three  miles  of  town,  tired,  sleepy  and  nearly  worn-out. 
About  nine  o'clock  the  next  morning,  we  forded 
Opequan  creek  halting  about  half  a  mile  beyond. 

The  Chaplain  of  the  First  had  service  in  the  after 
noon,  and  preached  from  the  text :  "  I  have  fought  a 
good  fightj  I  have  finished  my  course,  I  have  kept 
the  faith,"  Paul's  2d  Timothy. 

On  the  27th,  we  broke  camp  near  Opequan  creek 
and  marched  all  day,  bivouacing  near  Bunker  Hill. 
The  next  day,  (28th,)  we  moved  to  near  the  Hopcwell. 
Meeting  House,  where  we  remained  in  camp  some 
days,  nothing  taking  place  of  much  interest. 

On  the  6th  of  October,  General  Kemper  reviewed 
the  Brigade ;  on  the  9th,  General  Longstreet  had  a 
review  of  the  Division. 

On  the  13th,  a  review  of  a  part  of  the  Corps  took 
place  for  the  benefit  of  some  English  Lords,  who  were 
making  a  tour  of  inspection  for  their  own  gratification. 

On  the  16th,  Gen.  Pickett  inspected  the  Division,  and, 
on  dress  parade,  orders  were  read  for  us  to  be  ready  to 
move  at  a  moment's  notice,  but  it  amounted  to  nothing. 

On  the  20th,  we  changed  our  camp  ground  and 
pitched  tents  near  White  Hall,  about  two  miles  from 
Bunker  Hill. 

General  R.  E.  Lee  reviewed  our  Division  on  the 
22d,  and  the  day  passed  away  quietly. 

On  the  28th  of  October,  we  left  Bunker  Hill  and 
11 


122  HISTORY  OF  THE 

took  up  the  line  of  march  through  Winchester  and 
beyond,  about  five  miles  on  the  Front  Royal  road  where 
we  passed  the  night. 

The  march  of  the  29th  brought  us  to  one  mile  south 
of  Front  Royal,  after  fording  the  North  Fork  of  the 
Shenandoah  river,  and  crossing  the  South  Fork  on  a 
bridge  of  wagons. 

On  the  30th,  the  mountains  were  crossed  at  Chester 
Gap,  and  the  road  to  Games'  Cross  Roads  taken.; 
passing  two  miles  beyond  the  latter  point  the  Brigade 
bivouaced  for  the  night. 

On  the  following  day,  (31st,)  we  marched  within  one 
mile  of  Culpeper  Court  House,  via  Little  Washington 
and  Sperryville,  and  encamped  about  half-past  five 
P.  M.  The  night  was  made  so  lively  among  some  of 
the  Regiment,  by  the  introduction  of  "  pine-top,"  that 
after  midnight  the  Colonel  had  to  turn  out  to  quell  the 
disturbance  and  restore  quiet. 

While  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Court  House,  where  we 
remained  some  time,  the  drills,  guard  and  picket  duties, 
were  resumed,  and  the  ranks  of  the  Division  greatly 
augmented  by  the  return  of  convalescents  and  strag 
glers.  The  Division  received  orders  on  several  occa 
sions  to  pack  up  ready  for  a  move,  but  each  time  the 
orders  were  countermanded  and  the  tents  re-pitched. 
On  the  20th  of  November,  we  marched  two  miles  be 
yond  the  Court  House  in  direction  of  Raccoon  ford, 
but  were  ordered  to  return  after  a  short  halt ;  the  fol 
lowing  day,  however,  the  right  order  came,  and  by 
daylight  we  were  on  the  march ;  we  crossed  the  Rapi- 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          123 

dan  river  at  Raccoon  ford  and  took  the  road  to  Fred- 
ericksburg.  After  a  march  of  about  twenty-two  miles 
we  encamped  for  the  night. 

On  the  following  day,  (22d,)  we  marched  as  far  as 
Chancellorsville,  where  the  night  was  passed.  On  the 
23d,  we  marched  to  a  point  beyond  the  Telegraph  Road 
and  west  of  Fredericksburg,  where  we  went  into 
regular  camp. 

The  army  of  Gen.  Burnside  was  concentrating  on 
Stafford  Heights,  opposite  Fredericksburg ;  we  were  in 
his  front  to  oppose  his  passage  of  the  Rappahannoek 
river. 

The  men  of  our  army,  notwithstanding  that  they 
had  passed  through  battles,  marches  and  trials  of  every 
kind,  were  buoyant  in  spirit  and  quite  ready  to  meet 
the  hosts  of  the  Federal  army  upon  any  field. 

The  ravages  made  among  our  troops  by  death, 
wounds,  disease  and  discharges,  were  being  rapidly 
remedied,  thus  restoring  the  usual  cheerfulness  and 
strength  to  our  ranks. 

Our  camp  was  beneath  the  green  feathers  of  a  large 
pine  forest,  and  there  the  order  for  the  promotion  of 
our  brave  and  dearly-loved  Colonel  to  a  Brigadier 
Generalship  was  read  to  the  men  on  the  1st  of  Nov 
ember  ;  his  command  to  consist  of  a  brigade  formed 
expressly  for  him. 

Many  hearts  were  filled  with  sadness  in  losing  so 
dear  a  friend.  The  pages  of  this  record  of  facts  have 
chronicled  in  brief  some  few  of  his  noble  acts  whilst 
Colonel  of  the  Seventeenth  Virginia,  but  the  history 


1 24  SISTOR  Y  OF  TEE 

of  him  as  an  accomplished  soldier,  a  revered  commander, 
a  beloved  companion,  is  engraved  upon  the  hearts  of 
his  men  in  characters  not  to  be  tamed  into  language. 

The  following  are  incomplete  lists  of  casualties  in 
our  Regiment  in  the  battles  of  Boonsboro7  and  Sharps- 
burg  : 

BOONSBORO'. 

Field  and  Staff—  Wounded,  Adjutant  J.  H.  Bryant, 
Colonel  M.  D.  Corse. 

Company  A — None. 

Company  B — Killed,  Marcus  D,  Darr. 

Company  C — Killed,  Sergeant  F.  M.  Wallace. 

Company  D — Wounded,  Lieutenant  W.  A.  Barnes 
and  Private  John  Hickson. 

Company  E — Wounded,  Lieutenant  A.  M.  Tubman 
and  Privates  A.  F.  Rose  and  W.  H.  Underwood. 

Company  F — Wounded,  Private  R.  M.  Lee. 

Company  G — Killed,  Private  Daniel  Dohoney ; 
wounded,  Lieutenant  F.  Powers. 

Company  II — Wounded,  Lieutenant  A.  C.  Kell. 

Company  I — 

Company  K — 

SHARPSBURG. 

Field  and  Staff— Wounded,  Colonel  M.  D.  Corse. 
Company  A — Wounded,  Corporal  W.  J.  Paul. 
Company  B — Wounded,  Corporal  Thos.  N.  Garrison, 
badly. 

Company  C — Killed,  Lieut.   F.  B.  Littleton  and 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          125 

Privates  Luther  L.  Attwell  and  John  C.  Brown; 

wounded,  Privates  W.  H.  Hardy,  badly,  and  

Wallace. 

Company  D — Killed,  Captain  J.  T.  Burke  and  Ser 
geant  J.  R.  Steel ;  wounded,  Privates  M.  Crowley  and 
D.  McC.  Chichester. 

Company  E — Killed,  Color  Corporal  W.  Harper 
and  Private  J.  Calmus ;  wounded,  Lieut.  W.  P.  Me 
Knight  and  Sergt.  Jos.  Gregg. 

Company  F — Wounded,  Private  W.  E.  Davis. 

Company  G — Wounded,  Corporal  Thomas  Hays. 

Company  H.  Killed,  Private  W.  A.  Castleinan ; 
wounded,  Private  W.  J.  Hall,  shot  in  four  places. 

Company  I — 

Company  K — 


11 


126  HISTORY  OF  THE 


FREDERICKSBURG  AND  THE  WINTER 
CAMPAIGN. 

TTNTIL  the  morning  of  the  30th  November,  1862, 
'  the  encampments  around  Fredericksburg  remained 
in  such  perfect  quietude,  that  drills  and  the  regular 
.routine  of  camp  were  again  resumed.  At  the  above 
mentioned  time,  however,  the  guns  of  the  enemy 
opened  upon  the  town  from  the  hills  opposite  and 
-•shelled  it  throughout  the  day,  to  the  great  annoyance 
<of  the  inhabitants. 

On  the  3d  of  December,  our  camp  was  broken ;  we 
Ibade  adieu  to  the  men  of  our  old  Brigade  and  removed 
;to  the  encampment  of  the  new  one :  the  Seventeenth 
Virginia  Eegiment  having  been  assigned  with  the 
Fifteenth,  Thirtieth  and  Thirty-Second  Virginia  re 
giments  to  the  command  of  Brigadier  General  Corse. 
Upon  General  Corse's  promotion,  the  Colonelcy  of 
•our  Eegiment  devolved  upon  Lieut.  Colonel  Marye, 
'but  owing  to  his  misfortune  at  the  second  battle  of 
Manassas,  he  was  physically  incapacitated  to  assume 
the  command.  Major  A.  Herbert  was  promoted  to 
the  Lieut.  Colonelcy  and  Capt.  E.  H.  Simpson,  of 
Company  B,  became  Major  of  the  Eegiment;  Lieut. 
Lehew,  succeeded  to  the  command  of  Company  B. 

Notwithstanding  the  severity  of  the  winter,  we  had  no 
cause  for  complaint,  our  rations  being  sufficiently  good, 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA^  r^FANTRY.         127 

and  warm  clothing  having  been  fesued  to  most  of  the 
men. 

The  enemy  were  working  like  beavjrs  in  our  front 
strengthening  their  position  and  prepari-ag  all  things 
for  a  grand  move. 

On  the  llth  of  December,  we  were  all  startled  by 
the  reports  of  two  signal  guns ;  they  were  fired  about 
half  past  four  o'clock  A.  M.,  and  immediately  there 
after,  orders  were  issued  us  to  make  ready  for  a  march. 

The  Brigade  formed  and  moved  out  to  the  road 
leading  into  the  town ;  thence  to  a  position  in  line  of 
battle  to  the  right  and  below  Fredericksburg.  The  Di 
vision  was  in  line  upon  a  slope  of  hills  forming  a 
"  horseshoe,"  and  had  strengthened  their  position  by 
erecting  breatworks  of  rails  and  earth,  from  which  to 
fight  in  case  of  an  attack  being  made  upon  them.  In 
our  rear,  upon  the  crest  of  the  hill,  were  planted  a 
number  of  pieces  of  field  artillery,  with  which  the 
plains  below  could  be  swept  in  case  of  their  occupancy 
by  the  Federals.  Heavy  cannonading  was  in  progress 
above  the  town,  caused  by  an  attempt  of  the  enemy  to 
throw  pontoons  across  the  river  and  thereby  eifect  a 
passage ;  but  our  pickets  stationed  along  the  banks  of 
the  river,  fought  them  hard,  driving  them  back  each 
time  the  attempt  was  renewed ;  a  number  of  Federal 
soldiers  were  reported  killed.  The  artillery  was  in 
°peration  most  of  the  day,  and  night  closed  upon  the 
Confederates  in  line  prepared  for  battle. 

The  morning  of  the  12th  opened  quietly,  but 
towards  nine  o'clock  A.  M.,  our  guns  were  in  opera- 


128  UISTOR  T  OF  THE 

tion ;  very  soon  the/jnasketry  broke  loose  on  our  left 
and  sounds  of  he*wy  fighting  reached  us.  A  crossing 
had  been  effected  by  the  Federals  above  the  town,  our 
forces  foiling  back  without  much  resistance  and  per 
mitting  them  a  free  passage. 

The  13th  arrived,  and  as  yet  no  very  heavy  battle 
had  transpired ;  the  morning  was  dark,  damp  and 
gloomy,  enveloping  the  plains  below  us  in  such  im 
penetrable  fog  that  nothing  was  discernable  in  the 
direction  of  the  river.  At  noon,  however,  the  sun 
appeared  and  rapidly  absorbed  the  veil  in  its  majestic 
brightness.  Then  the  lines  on  the  right  and  left  of 
us  opened  with  artillery  and  musketry.  The  battle 
raged  for  hours ;  musketry  was  heard  above  the  roar 
of  the  artillery,  and  particularly  on  our  left,  the  fight 
ing  was  terrific. 

From  our  position  overlooking  the  river  bottoms 
for  miles  to  our  right,  we  had  an  excellent  view  of 
the  enemy's  position;  they  crossed  the  open  plain, 
four  lines  -deep,  and  made  charge  after  charge  upon  the 
"  Rebels  "  posted  in  the  edge  of  the  woods.  General 
Hood  was  protecting  our  right  with  his  brave  Texans, 
consequently,  each  effort  was  repulsed,  and  whenever 
the  blue  curl  of  smoke  was  visible  from  the  Texan's 
line,  parts  of  "  the  grand  army  "  dropped  away  until 
the  ranks  were  not  only  thinned  but  completely  scattered. 

Towards  night  the  battle  closed ;  the  enemy  had 
been  repulsed  at  all  points  and  fell  back  discomfited 
upon  his  reserves. 

"  The  sight  in  our  front,  and,  to  the  right,  during  that 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         129 

afternoon,  (writes  one  of  the  Seventeenth,)  was  as 
grand  as  could  be  witnessed.  The  number  of  the 
Federals  in  sight  at  the  time  was  estimated  at,  at  least, 
sixty  thousand,  and  lines  upon  lines  moving  beauti 
fully  and  with  perfect  order  in  quick  succession  upon 
Hood,  melted  into  nothingness,  soon  as  the  blue  smoke 
curled  above  the  Texans'  position.  Their  officers 
endeavored  by  every  means  to  reform  their  broken 
ranks,  but  all  in  vain,  they  could  not  be  made  to  meet 
that  galling  fire  the  second  time." 

During  t^e  heavy  fighting  on  the  right  and  left, 
a  brigade  of  the  Yankees  advanced  in  our  front, 
to  the  right  a  short  distance,  and  deployed  their 
skirmishers.  They  were  met  by  our  skirmish  line, 
who  fired  and  fell  back  slowly,  then  halting,  firing  and 
again  retreating.  After  drawing  them  into  really  close 
quarters,  a  section  of  artillery  was  unlimbered,  moved 
quickly  to  the  front,  and  fired  upon  the  advancing 
column ;  at  the  same  moment  a  brigade  of  infantry 
moved  out  in  line,  from  under  cover  of  the  brushwood, 
and  charged  them  with  a  yell.  The  Federal  line  broke 
at  once,  and  made  good  speed  to  the  rear.  The  loss  on 
each  side  was  small,  having  only  a  few  killed  and 
wounded. 

Saturday  night  passed  off  quietly,  and  the  morning 
of  Sunday,  (14th,)  opened  beautifully.  Column  after 
column  of  the  enemy  could  be  plainly  seen  from  our 
elevated  position  passing  down  the  river  to  the  right, 
but  the  fighting  and  charging  had  ceased ;  the  earnest 
zeal  of  the  "Kebels"  having  been  fully  tested  the  day 


130  HISTORY  OF  THE 

before,  Gen.  Burnside  seemed  quite  satisfied.  We  had 
acted  altogether  on  the  defensive  in  this  battle,  and  our 
victory  was  a  complete  one. 

Monday  passed  without  demonstration  on  either  side, 
except  occasional  cannonading,  the  lines  being  about 
the  same  as  on  Saturday.  Our  men  waited  in  readiness 
for  whatever  was  to  be  done,  though  much  wonderment 
was  exhibited :  "  Does  General  Lee  intend  to  allow 
Burnside  to  re-cross  the  river  without  molestation  ?  " 
was  asked  on  every  side,  and  anxiously  the  answer  was 
looked  for. 

Tuesday,  being  a  dark,  rainy  morning,  our  artillery 
opened  fire  to  ascertain  the  Federal  whereabouts,  and, 
being  replied  to  from  the  opposite  heights,  it  was  con 
jectured  that  a  crossing  had  been  effected  during  the 
night,  and  so  it  proved  to  have  been.  Amid  the  dark 
ness,  Gen.  Burnside's  army  had  slipped  from  General 
Lee's  grasp,  and  was  safely  landed  upon  the  Stafford 
shore. 

Their  dead  had  been  left  in  our  hands  unburied,  and 
on  a  small  lot  of  ground  above  the  town,  supposed  to 
contain  about  one  acre  square,  as  many  as  eleven  hund 
red  of  the  enemy's  dead  were  counted  by  one  of  our 
Regiment.  As  many  as  seven  and  eight  were  noticed 
lying  one  upon  the  other,  showing  that  the  battle  at 
that  point  must  have  been  frightfully  sanguinary. 

General  Jackson's  Corps  occupied  the  extreme  right 
of  our  line,  and  received  the  assaults  of  the  enemy 
without  giving  a  single  advantage ;  his  men  could  not 
have  fought  better,  and  the  real  victory  should  be  given 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY. 


to  him  ;  the  unexampled  fortitude  of  his  body  of  brave 
troops  needs  no  laudation. 

The  position  of  our  Corps,  (Longstreet's-,)  in  this 
battle  was  as  follows  :  General  McLaws'  Division  oc 
cupied  the  heights,  behind  the  town  ;  General  Ander 
son's  Division  on  McLaws'  left,  above  the  town, 
extending  to  Taylor's  Hill,  on  the  river;  General 
Pickett's  Division  on  McLaws'  right  ;  General  Hood's 
Division  was  posted  near  Hamilton's  crossing,  and 
General  Ramseur's  Division  between  Generals  Hood 
and  Pickett  filled  the  gap,  left  open  in  the  first  of  the 
army's  movements. 

The  following  are  the  losses,  copied  from  General 
Longstreet's  Official  Report  : 

Anderson's  Division  .»,...*..  159 

McLaws'  Division      .........  858 

Pickett's  Division       .........  54 

Hood's  Division     ..........  251 

Ramseur's  Division    .....     ....  535 

Artillery  .........     ....  37 


1,894 
Jackson's  Corps  lost   .     .     .     .     ,     .     .     .     .     2,682 

Making  a  total  of 4,576 

"  We  captured  9,000  stands  of  arms,  255,000  rounds 
of  ammunition,  and  1,800  sets  of  accoutrements." — 
Col  Baldwin's  Report,  Chief  Ord.  A.  N.  Va. 


132  HISTORY  OF  THE 

On  the  evening  of  Tuesday,  (16th,)  our  Kegiment 
was  sent  on  picket  duty  on  the  banks  of  the  river, 
below  the  town,  and  the  men  were  all  in  such  good 
spirits  from  the  recent  victory,  that  it  was  considered 
a  pleasure  rather  than  a  duty,  although  the  weather 
was  intensely  cold  and  the  men  suffered  severely  while 
on  picket  post. 

On  the  18th,  (Thursday,)  the  Regiment  returned  to 
their  old  camp,  and  then  removed  from  the  bleak  hills 
to  a  piece  of  woods  about  a  half  mile  back ;  after  pitch 
ing  tents  and  gathering  wood,  large  fires  wrere  built,  and 
all  hands  warmed  up. 

The  next  morning,  after  the  men  had  made  them 
selves  comfortable  and  all  were  congratulating  them 
selves  upon  the  situation  of  affairs,  orders  were  received 
to  march ;  the  tents  were  struck,  the  baggage  was 
packed,  and  the  line  formed ;  marching  out  upon  the 
open  hillside,  we  patiently  awaited  further  orders ; 
towards  night  they  arrived  and  the  line  was  dismissed; 
the  previous  day's  work  had  to  be  re-performed ;  the 
cold  not  having  abated,  and  there  being  no  fires,  it  was 
a  "  long,  long-  weary  "  day  of  suffering  to  many. 

The  second  Christmas  to  us  was  a  dull  one ;  very 
few  extra  edibles  were  handed  around,  and  only  a 
sprinkling  of  liquor  was  to  be  had  outside  of  the  joy 
ous  group  that  encircled  the  table  spread  by  the  ener 
getic  and  gentlemanly  caterer,  Mr.  Jonah  White,  our 
worthy  Brigade  Sutler ;  his  good  things  were  well  re 
ceived  and  much  enjoyed  by  his  numerous  friends. 

On  the  27th,  our  camp  was  removed  to  within  a  few 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         133 

miles  of  Guinea  Station,  R.  &  F.  E.  R.,  where  we 
found  abundance  of  wood  and  water.  Here  we  went 
into  winter  quarters,  and  the  men  were  not  very  long 
in  making  themselves  comfortable.  The  following 
month  (January,)  passed  off'  quietly,  and  nothing  worthy 
of  note,  outside  the  usual  routine  of  daily  camp  life, 
transpired. 

On  the  27th  of  January,  1863,  orders  arrived  for 
us  to  march,  and  in  a  heavy  rain,  which  soon  changed 
into  snow,  we  filed  out  of  camp,  traveled  in  a  northern 
direction,  and  at  nightfall  arrived  at  a  point  about  fif 
teen  miles  above  Fredericksburg.  The  tramp  was  a 
very  severe  one,  as  the  snow  laid  six  inches  deep  before 
it  ceased  to  fall,  and  the  roads  were  heavy  with  mud 
and  water.  Upon  our  arrival,  a  large  forest  of  pines 
was  selected  as  our  place  of  bivouac ;  ere  long  the  men 
had  roaring  fires  burning,  and  were  engaged  in  pre 
paring  for  the  night's  rest.  The  wind  howled  above 
us,  and  the  snow  fell  thick  and  fast ;  large  pine  trees 
were  torn  up  by  the  roots,  and  the  men  were  in  much 
danger  of  being  crushed  by  the  falling  trees  and  limbs. 
Our  ordnance  wagon  during  the  night  was  crushed  to 
its  bed  by  a  tree  twelve  inches  in  diameter,  that  was 
uprooted  and  thrown  across  it ;  fortunately,  no  persons 
were  sleeping  in  it  at  the  time,  or  they  would  certainly 
have  been  killed. 

Several  days  were  passed  here,  during  which  the 

men   held   themselves    in    readiness    to    move   at   a 

moment's  notice ;  then  the  order  arrived  to  return,  and 

the  line  formed,  and  we  moved  back  to  our  quarters. 

12 


134  HISTORY  OF  THE 

What  a  glorious  time  some  of  the  Eegiment  had  during 
that  night,  after  our  return,  can  only  be  told  by  them 
selves.  But  it  is  a  fact  worth  mentioning,  to  remind 
them,  that  a  self-constituted  provost  guard  confiscated 
several  barrels  of  whiskey,  which  enabled  a  large  por 
tion  of  the  boys  to  be  "  gay  and  lively  too." 

While  encamped  near  Guinea's,  the  Regiment  did 
picket  duty  at  times  on  the  Rappahannock  river,  and 
also  worked  on  the  trenches  near  Fredericksburg, 
details  being  made  for  the  latter  purpose. 

On  the  llth  of  February,  Colonel  Herbert  received 
a  twenty  days  furlough,  and  Major  Simpson  was  left 
in  command  of  our  Regiment. 

On  the  15th,  our  camp  was  broken  up,  and,  in  com 
pany  with  the  Division,  we  marched,  taking  the  direc 
tion  of  Richmond.  The  baggage  was  sent  by  the 
cars,  and  about  nine  o'clock,  in  a  hard  rain  storm,  we 
set  out ;  after  a  wearisome  march,  we  went  into  bivouac 
at  nightfall.  The  next  morning,  a  detail  of  one  com 
pany  from  each  regiment  of  the  Brigade  was  sent 
about  one  mile  back,  for  the  purpose  of  getting  the 
wagons  out  of  the  mud,  where  many  of  them  had 
remained  immovable.  We  then  continued  the  march 
and 'arrived  near  Hanover  Junction,  where  we  en 
camped.  A  heavy  snow  storm  set  in  during  the  night, 
through  which  we  marched  on  the  following  day. 

February  17th,  was  a  severe  day  upon  both  men 
and  teams.  Company  G  was  detailed  to  accom 
pany  the  Brigade  wagon  train,  to  haul  them  out  as 
they  became  stuck  in  the  mud.  We  halted  about 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         135 

eleven  miles  from  Richmond,  and  built  large  fires  by 
which  to  dry  our  saturated  clothing. 

The  following  day,  the  march  was  resumed  in  a 
hard  rain  storm  ;  we  halted  within  five  miles  of  Rich 
mond  where  we  went  to  rest,  wet  and  cold ;  the  rain 
continued  to  fall  during  the  night,  rendering  it  yet 
more  chilly  and  disagreable.  The  next  day  about  ten 
A.M.,  we  were  again  on  the  march ;  we  passed  through 
Richmond  and  crossed  the  James  River  at  Mayors 
Bridge. 

The  Division  marched  through  the  city  by  com 
panies  in  column,  presenting  a  handsome  appearance. 
The  sidewalks  were  filled  with  ladies,  and  many  highly 
palatable  gifts  were  distributed  by  them  to  the  men. 
We  encamped  some  three  miles  below  the  city,  and 
passed  the  following  clay  in  quietness. 

On  the  21st,  about  10  A.  M.,  we  again  started, 
reached  Chester  Station,  nine  miles  from  Petersburg, 
and  bivouaced  for  the  night.  It  was  there,  and  on 
that  very  night,  that  the  heavy  snow  storm  fell  in 
which  Pickett's  Division  was  lost  for  so  many  hours. 
The  men  had  retired  under  their  blankets  and  fallen 
asleep  before  the  storm  set  in,  and,  when  morning  came, 
they  were  all  invisible,  being  entirely  covered  by  the 
snow,  which  laid  on  the  ground  to  the  depth  of  eight 
inches.  Many  found  themselves  so  comfortable  in 
this  pleasant  situation,  the  warmth  of  the  snow  being 
equal  to  many  blankets,  that  they  did  not  rise  until 
mid -day. 


136  HISTORY  OF  TEE 

On  the  25th,  a  battle  took  place  between  Generals 
Jenkins'  and  Kemper's  brigades;  but  as  it  was  a 
friendly  combat,  in  which  snow  balls  were  the  only 
missiles  used,  no  one  was  seriously  hurt. 

We  remained  at  Chester  Station  in  regular  camp, 
(our  tents,  baggage  &c.,  having  arrived,)  until  the 
first  day  of  March,  when  we  bade  adieu  to  that  place 
and  left  for  Petersburg ;  the  roads  were  in  dreadful 
order,  rendering  the  march  a  memorably  tiresome  one. 
Arriving  at  the  bridge  over  the  Appomatox  river, 
below  the  city,  the  Division  formed  by  companies  in 
column,  marched  through,  passed  down  the  City  Point 
road  some  three  miles,  and  encamped  for  the  night. 

The  following  day  very  little  transpired  worthy  of 
note ;  our  bivouac  remained  undisturbed,  and  the  day 
passed  rather  quietly  than  otherwise.  On  the  3d 
March,  Col.  Herbert  re-joined  the  Regiment,  having 
been  absent  on  furlough ;  on  the  4th,  we  moved  our 
camp  a  short  distance  and  settled  near  the  City  Point 
railroad,  where  a  permanent  camp  was  laid  out. 

On  the  9th,  General  Garnett's  Brigade  left  for  the 
vicinity  of  North  Carolina. 

On  the  18th,  we  had  Brigade  Inspection,  which 
passed  oif  quietly.  On  the  19th,  Kemper's  Brigade 
started  for  North  Carolina,  leaving  only  Gen.  Arm- 
stead's  and  ours  in  camp,  both  under  command  of 
Brigadier  General  Corse. 

On  the  20th  of  March,  a  tremendous  snow  storm 
occurred,  completely  blockading  the  roads,  in  con- 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          137 

sequence  of  which  drilling  &c.  were  temporarily  sus 
pended;  it  fell  to  the  depth  of  twelve  inches,  occasion 
ing  much  suffering,  as  the  atmosphere  was  piercingly 
cold.  When  the  light  of  the  21st  dawned  upon  us, 
the  snow  had  increased  to  fourteen  inches  on  the  level 
ground,  and  still  continued  falling  until  towards  noon, 
when  it  was  superseded  by  rain,  which  caused  its 
rapid  disappearance. 

On  the  morning  of  the  23d,  preparations  were  made 
for  removal,  tents  were  struck,  baggage  packed,  and 
the  Brigade  took  up  its  line  of  march.  Passing 
through  Prince  George  Court  House,  we  took  the 
road  leading  to  Ivor  Station,  N.  and  P.  R.  R. ;  just 
before  dark  we  halted  and  went  into  bivouac.  The 
following  day  brought  us  a  tedious  march,  the  small 
streams  having  swollen  into  rapid,  almost  rivers ;  the 
roads  in  many  places  were  so  submerged  that  we  were 
very  frequently  wading  in  water ;  soon  after  getting 
into  bivouac  it  rained  heavily,  necessitating  all  hands 
to  pass  the  night  in  their  wet  clothes. 

About  daylight  on  the  25th,  we  arose  refreshed,  and 
very  soon  after  were  on  the  move ;  it  would  puzzle 
one  to  imagine  a  more  toilsome,  disagreable  march, 
through  sand  and  water,  than  we  underwent,  until 
reaching  Ivor,  where  we  encamped  in  a  swamp,  near 
the  Station,  for  the  night.  This  neighborhood  has 
notoriety  in  history,  as  that  in  which  the  scene  of 
Nat.  Tyler's  negro  insurrection  was  enacted,  in  1831  ; 
New  Jerusalem,  the  place  of  rendezvous  for  himself 

12* 


138  HISTORY  OF  THE 

and  accessories,  was  only  a  few  miles  off  from  our 
encampment. 

On  the  morning  of  the  28th,  Compaies  A,  E  and  C, 
were  sent  on  picket  duty  to  the  Blackwater  river;  field 
artillery  from  Petersburg  had  arrived  the  day  previous 
and  was  parked  near  the  Station,  ready  for  instant 
•service. 

On  the  30th,  General  Pickctt  appeared  and  took 
•command;  his  headquarters  were  located  near  Ivor. 
On  the  31st,  our  Regiment  filed  out  and,  marching 
several  miles  from  the  "  Swamp,"  encamped  near 
Tucker's  Swamp  Church,  pitching  our  tents  in  a  piece 
«of  woods  bordering  on  a  small  stream,  where  we 
Tesumed  regular  camp  life.  Whilst  here,  the  men 
^exercised  their  talents  in  the  interesting  and  highly 
•necessary  operation  of  brushing  up,  washing,  and 
•cleansing  generally,  greatly  to  their  individual  benefit 
(both  in  feeling  and  appearance. 

Information  soon  arrived,  that  Longstreet's  Corps 
-was  approaching  our  locality  in  anticipation  of  a 
movement  to  be  made  upon  a  point  below.  The  roads 
were  improving,  rendering  active  operations  practical. 
The  succeeding  chapter  will  show  the  destination, 
success  and  general  movements  of  this  Corps,  particu 
larly  the  part  sustained  by  the  Seventeenth  Virginia 
Regiment,  in  the  battles,  skirmishes  and  incidents 
consequent  upon  so  interesting  a  campaign. 

The  men  were  in  fine  spirits,  quite  ready  and  almost 
anxious  to  meet  the  enemy  once  more,  after  such  pro 
longed  rest  from  the  excitement  of  battle.  Having 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          139 

acquired  a  right  good  opinion  of  themselves  from  the 
records  of  former  days,  they  were  quite  confident  of 
ability  now,  to  keep  their  names  untarnished  upon 
the  role  of  honor.  It  was  while  encamped  at  Tucker's 
Swamp  Church,  that  the  Twenty-ninth  Virginia  Regi 
ment  was  added  to  our  Brigade. 


140  HISTORY  OF  THE 


SUFFOLK,  AND  THE  MARCH  TO  WIN 
CHESTER. 

ON  the  6th  of  April,  Lieut.  Col.  Herbert  was  as 
signed  the  command  of  the  Twenty-ninth  Virginia 
Regiment,  of  this  Brigade,  and  Major  R.  H.  Simpson 
left  to  take  charge  of  our  Regiment. 

On  the  morning  of  the  9th,  our  camp  near  Tucker's 
Swamp  Church  was  broken,  and  the  tramp  commenced 
towards  the  Blackwater  river.  We  reached  the  small 
village  of  Franklin  on  the  10th,  after  a  slow,  quiet 
march,  passing  through  and  halting  near  South  Quay, 
where  we  received  orders  to  prepare  four  days  rations, 
and  be  ready  to  move  at  short  notice  in  light  marching 
order,  baggage,  tents  and  wagons,  to  be  left  at  South 
Quay. 

On  the  following  day,  (llth,)  the  troops  crossed  the 
river  on  pontoon  bridges,  Generals  Jenkins7  and  Hood's 
divisions  at  Franklin,  and  ours  at  South  Quay,  where 
the  command,  consisting  of  infantry,  artillery  and 
cavalry,  under  General  J.  T.  Longstreet,  made  a  rapid 
march  in  direction  of  Suffolk,  reaching  a  point  about 
seven  miles  distant  therefrom  before  night. 

About  four  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  12th,  we 
moved  forward  by  the  various  roads  leading  thereto, 
and  before  noon  the  Corps  had  encircled  the  town  of 
Suffolk  from  the  White  Marsh  to  the  Nansemond  river; 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY. 

the  enemy  were  first  apprised  of  our  presence  by 
several  shots  from  our  line,  then  extending  in  readiness 
for  combat  for  ten  or  twelve  miles  around  the  town. 

The  following  day,  (13th,)  our  Regiment  moved  to 
its  position  in  the  siege,  near  White  Marsh,  holding  the 
road  and  a  narrow  neck  of  land  between  there  and  the 
Dismal  Swamp  •  the  other  part  of  the  Brigade  was 
posted  further  to  the  left ;  heavy  skirmishing  took 
place  soon  after  the  lines  were  occupied. 

The  supply  train  was  left  at  South  Quay,  but  on  the 
above-mentioned  day  a  portion  of  it  moved  across  the 
river  and  proceeded  to  forage  through  the  counties  ad 
jacent;  the  regimental  wagons  of  the  Commissary  De 
partment  were  ordered  to  follow  the  troops,  and  started 
to  do  so  on  the  14th,  but  the  roads  were  in  such  bad 
condition  that  the  train  did  not  reach  the  vicinity  of 
the  army  until  about  two  o'clock  the  following  morn 
ing,  after  hard  labor,  each  wagon  having  taken  its  turn 
at  a  "  stick  in  the  mud." 

On  the  morning  of  the  15th,  at  early  light,  our  Re 
giment  was  attacked  by  a  greatly  superior  number  of 
the  enemy,  consisting  of  infantry,  cavalry  and  artillery. 
They  opened  with  two  cannon  shots,  immediately  after 
which  their  infantry  and  cavalry  advanced  upon  our 
pickets,  and  drove  them  in  upon  our  Regiment,  which 
had  not  been  formed,  a  greater  part  of  the  men  having 
been  asleep  when  the  artillery  opened.  But  well  aware 
of  the  proper  course  to  pursue,  they  immediately  fell 
back  and  took  position  in  a  piece  of  woods  some  half 
a  mile  to  the  rear,  opening  a  brisk  fire,  which  retired 


142  HISTORY  OF  THE 

the  enemy  quickly  from  his  position,  leaving  three 
dead  horses  on  the  field,  two  prisoners,  two  horses, 
(alive,)  five  saddles  and  a  number  of  small  arms,  in  our 
hands.  Soon  after,  the  Fifty-seventh  and  Third  Vir 
ginia  regiments  came  to  our  relief,  and  our  former 
position  was  reoccupied,  after  several  well  directed 
shots  at  the  retreating  Federals.  Our  loss  was  four 
wounded  and  four  captured. 

The  following  are  the  names  of  those  wounded  in 
this  little  skirmish  :  Privates  C.  O.  Ripple,  Company 
E,  O.  F.  Hoffman  and  T.  B.  Saunders,  of  Company  K, 
the  latter  very  badly  wounded. 

In  the  afternoon  our  skirmishers  advanced,  whilst 
our  artillery  operated  against  the  enemy,  and  took  posi 
tion  a  long  distance  in  front  of  our  line,  the  enemy 
falling  back  as  our  skirmish  line  moved  forward. 

The  following  day,  (16th,)  another  attack  was  made 
upon  us,  and  a  part  of  our  line  was  broken  by  the 
charge  of  their  cavalry  and  driven  in,  but  the  Fifteenth 
and  Thirtieth  Virginia  regiments  of  our  Brigade  ad 
vanced  and  dispersed  the  Federals  in  short  order.  The 
loud  rattle  of  musketry  and  booming  of  cannon  on  our 
left  the  same  day,  was  caused  by  the  attack  of  a  part  of 
General  Armstead's  Brigade  upon  the  enemy,  and  the 
"  driving  out "  of  the  Federal  pickets  from  a  thicket, 
the  possession  of  which  was  necessary  to  us  for  the 
straightening  of  our  lines. 

The  troops  of  the  Corps  were  posted  as  follows : 
General  Pickett  commanded  the  right,  General  Jenkins 
the  center,  and  General  Hood  the  left.  Our  Regiment 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          143 

was  on  the  extreme  right  of  the  line,  and  we  picketed 
in  the  Dismal  Swamp. 

On  the  17th,  the  Twenty-ninth  Virginia  of  our 
Brigade,  commanded  at  that  time  by  Lieut.  Col, 
Herbert,  met  the  enemy,  (who  charged  them,)  repulsed 
and  drove  him  a  considerable  distance.  On  the  18th, 
their  cavalry  again  advanced,  when  the  firing  of  a  few 
volleys  caused  them  to  retire. 

The  heavy  cannonading  above  the  town  and  to  our 
extreme  left  on  the  19th  and  20th,  proceeded  from 
the  gunboats  of  the  Federals,  and  from  a  portion  of 
our  field  artillery  that  had  been  sent  down  upon  the 
river  bank  to  harrass  them. 

On  the  23d,  the  enemy  again  advanced  in  our  front, 
threw  out  their  skirmishers  in  order  to  engage  our 
attention,  while  they  set  fire  to  a  large  building  several 
hundred  yards  from  our  outposts,  and  then  retired,  but 
not  without  some  loss,  as  our  pickets  report  having 
seen  them  carrying  several  men  from  the  field. 

The  next  day  they  reappeared  in  front  of  our  Regi 
ment,  engaged  our  pickets  who  fought  them  until 
each  man  had  fired  thirty  rounds  of  ammunition,  and 
then  retired  until  they  re-entered  our  lines  to  await 
an  attack.  The  enemy  at  once  advanced  and  formed 
in  a  piece  of  woods,  of  which  we  commanded  a  full 
view,  and  where  our  artillery  opened  upon  them  with 
terrible  effect ;  so  true  was  the  aim  of  the  efficient 
gunners,  and  so  demoralizing  in  its  influence  upon  the 
enemy,  that  they  broke  ranks,  and,  to  use  their  own 
phrase,  "  skedaddled  "  in  unmeasured  haste,  accelerated 


144  HISTORY  OF  THE 

by  deafening  cheers  from  our  soldiers.  Our  loss  was 
three  wounded  among  the  artillerymen,  and  several 
horses  killed.  We  found  four  of  their  dead  on  the 
field,  and  numbers  of  guns,  haversacks,  &c.,  &c., 
improvidently  abandoned  in  their  precipitate  flight. 
On  the  25th,  they  sent  into  our  lines  a  flag  of  truce 
for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  the  bodies  of  their  men 
left  on  the  field  the  day  before.  The  same  night,  we 
left  the  White  Marsh  road  and  rejoined  our  Brigade, 
stationed  about  three  miles  to  the  left. 

The  wagons  were  busily  engaged,  after  our  arrival 
here,  in  removing  further  back  into  the  country  the 
bacon,  hay,  grain,  and  other  forage  from  this  part  of 
Virginia,  and  a  portion  of  North  Carolina  had  also 
been  well  visited  for  the  same  purpose. 

There  were  heavy  cannonading  and  musketry  on 
the  left  on  the  30th,  but  the  Federals  did  not  make 
the  attack  that  we  supposed  they  would,  but  satisfied 
themselves  with  watching  our  movevents. 

The  month  of  May,  1863,  opened  beautifully,  and 
found  the  lines  maintaining  comparative  quiet.  On 
the  third,  orders  were  received  to  prepare  to  march ; 
in  the  afternoon  the  wagons  started  to  the  rear,  taking 
the  direction  of  South  Quay,  and  about  9  o'clock  P.  M., 
the  main  body  of  the  army  withdrew  from  around 
Suffolk,  and  returned  to  the  Blackwater  river  by 
the  roads  marched  down  one  month  previous.  The 
trains  crossed  the  river  at  South  Quay  and  Franklin, 
about  midnight,  and  at  daylight  on  the  morning  of 
the  4th,  the  troops  commenced  crossing. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  145 

By  twelve  o'clock  M,  all  had  passed  over  but  the 
rear  guard,  which  was  in  line  on  the  Suffolk  side  and 
remained  in  position  until  about  four  P.  M.,  when, 
they  too,  came  over  and  the  pontoon  bridges  were 
taken  up.  The  enemy's  cavalry  followed  us,  but  only 
captured  a  few  stragglers ;  they  had  not  forgotten  the 
retreat  from  Yorktown,  one  year  before,  when  we 
gave  them  such  a  "  drubbing "  for  coming  too  near 
our  rear. 

At  an  early  hour  on  the  5th,  we  were  again  in 
motion,  and  not  long  after  starting  we  received  the 
welcome  tidings,  through  a  despatch  from  General 
Lee  to  General  Longstreet,  of  the  victory  at  Chan- 
cellorsville.  This  announcement  acted  like  a  charm 
upon  the  men,  almost  annihilating  all  thought  of 
physical  inconvenience  arising  from  the  toils  of  the 
day's  march. 

About  sundown  we  halted  and  bivouaced  beyond 
the  beautiful  village  of  Jerusalem,  through  which  we 
passed  in  a  drenching  rain.  On  the  6th,  the  rain  con 
tinued  at  intervals  throughout  the  day ;  after  marching 
about  twenty  miles,  we  bivouaced,  wet  and  tired,  near 
the  village  of  Littletown,  and  made  a  rather  successful 
effort  to  sleep. 

On  the  7th,  we  reached  a  point  about  seven  miles 
from  Petersburg  after  a  most  wearying  twenty  miles 
march.  The  next  day,  (8th,)  we  passed  through  the 
city  and  bivouaced  a  mile  or  so  beyond,  when  many 
of  the  men  were  allowed  to  return  to  the  "Burg," 
and  spend  a  portion  of  the  night  with  their  friends 
13 


146  HISTORY  OF  TEE 

and  acquaintances.  It  was  a  great  treat,  after  such  a 
prolonged  campaign,  to  visit  the  dear  old  city  so  popu 
lous  with  kind  hearts,  so  noted  for  genuine  hospitality. 

Leaving  our  bivouac  about  nine  o'clcock  on  the 
9th  of  May,  w^e  marched  to  within  about  six  miles  of 
Bichmond,  and  encamped  near  Falling  Creek  on  the 
R.  and  P.  R.  R.  Whilst  here  the  men  passed  their 
leisure  hours  in  fishing,  boating,  bathing  and  sight 
seeing  in  the  vicinity. 

On  the  llth,  the  sad  news  of  the  death  of  Lieut. 
Gen'l  Jackson  was  made  known  to  the  men  of  our 
Division,  causing  a  general  depression  of  spirits  among 
all  classes.  His  death  took  place  at  the  residence  of 
Mr.  Chandler,  near  Guinea  Station,  on  the  evening 
of  the  10th  of  May,  1863 :  words  could  not  express 
the  intensity  of  sadness  that  filled  all  hearts  for  this 
irreparable  loss.  His  remains  were  conveyed  to 
Richmond  on  the  evening  of  the  llth,  and  upon 
their  arrival  all  business  was  suspended,  all  business 
places  closed ;  his  body  was  embalmed  and  remained 
in  the  Governor's  Mansion  until  the  next  day,  (12th,) 
when  it  was  removed  to  be  laid  in  state  in  the  hall  of 
Representatives,  where  until  night  closed  in,  a  living 
stream  of  sorrowing  hearts  gathered  for  a  gaze,  (to  be 
cherished  through  time,)  upon  the  face  of  the  unwavering 
Christian  Hero  of  so  many  hard  fought  battles.  On 
the  following  day,  the  remains  were  taken  to  Lexington, 
Virginia,  for  interment.  The  escort  from  the  Capitol 
building  to  the  depot,  consisted  of  two  regiments  of 
our  Division,  a  battery  of  artillery,  and  a  detachment 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          147 

of  cavalry ;  a  long  procession  of  citizens,  preceded  by 
President  Davis  and  staff,  followed  the  soldiery. 

On  the  13th,  Lieut  Col.  Herbert  returned  to  the 
Regiment  and  resumed  command.  On  the  15th, 
orders  were  received  to  march ;  after  striking  tents 
and  packing  baggage,  we  moved,  with  the  Division,  to 
within  a  short  distance  of  Manchester  and  encamped 
for  the  night. 

The  following  morning  we  passed  through  Rich 
mond  and  onward  about  twelve  miles,  going  into 
bivouac  about  three  P.  M.  011  the  Hanover  Junction 
road.  The  march  on  the  17th  was  short,  as  we  halted 
about  12  o'clock  M.  within  three  miles  of  the  Junction. 
Here  we  went  into  regular  camp  and  received  orders 
to  resume  the  company  drills. 

In  the  month  of  April,  while  the  army  was  lying 
in  quietude,  having  closed  every  approach  to  Suffolk 
from  the  Nansemond  river  to  the  Dismal  Swamp — 
General  Pickett,  wishing  to  know  the  situation  of  the 
enemy  in  his  front,  applied  to  Capt.  "Wm.  H.  Fowle 
of  this  Regiment,  (then  performing  picket  duty  with 
his  Company  on  the  line,)  to  procure  him  the  services 
of  a  good  scout  for  the  accomplishment  of  this  very 
desirable  object. 

Sergeant  J.  P.  Jordan,  of  this  Company,  having 
been  successful  before  upon  similar  errands,  was  sum- 
mond,  and  the  General  gave  him  instructions  to  pro 
ceed  in  direction  of  Suffolk,  and,  if  practicable,  to 
ascertain  the  situation  of  the  enemy's  camp,  report 
their  strength,  &c.,  without  arousing  their  suspicions 


148  HISTORY  OF  THE 

or  disturbing  them,  as  he  particularly  wanted  them 
kept  quiet  until  his  plans  were  perfected. 

Posted  with  the  necessary  instructions,  and  knowing 
well  his  duty,  our  Sergeant  after  selecting  three  of  his 
companions  :  John  T.  Mills,  Company  H,  Seventeenth 
Virginia,  S.  C.  Madison,  and  Wm.  Gravatt,  Company 
F,  30th  Virginia,  all  of  distinguished  bravery  and 
unimpeachable  reliability,  to  accompany  him,  pushed 
forward  into  the  forest  on  his  left,  moving  in  the 
direction  of  the  Federal  line. 

With  great  caution  the  quartette  glided  stealthily 
along  in  single  file,  and  struck  the  swamp,  studded 
thickly  with  under-growth,  pursuing  their  way  until 
they  thought  themselves  near  the  enemy's  picket  line. 
The  Sergeant  then  rose  to  his  feet  and  upon  looking 
around,  he  says :  "  I  found  that  I  had  unobserved 
passed  the  enemy's  pickets,  posted  not  over  ffteen  paces 
on  either  side  of  me,  and  was  a  short  distance  in  their 
rear" 

They  were  now  really  in  for  it ;  nothing  but  un 
shrinking  nerve  whilst  they  avoided  attracting  atten 
tion,  surrounded  as  they  were  by  enemies,  could  ensure 
success  to  their  undertaking.  The  utmost  caution 
was  observed ;  not  even  a  twig  was  broken,  the  noise 
of  which  could  arouse  suspicion,  as  the  brave  soldiers 
crept  on  almost  into  the  enemy's  midst. 

The  timber  here  being  more  open,  they  could  see  dis 
tinctly,  some  distance  in  front  of  them,  a  line  of  the 
enemy  busily  engaged  in  throwing  up  breastworks, 
thus  rendering  impracticable  their  further  advance  in 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         149 

direction  of  Suffolk.  This  was  a  movement  of  im 
portance  to  them,  and  a  master  stroke  was  required 
by  which  to  spirit  themselves  back  through  the  line 
of  pickets.  Certain  capture,  and,  probably  death, 
would  attend  their  advance ;  to  retrace  their  steps  in 
the  path  they  came,  was  utterly  out  of  the  question, 
and,  after  consultation,  the  advice  of  Jordan,  to  work 
their  way  as  near  the  lines  as  possible,  without  being 
seen,  was  concurred  in,  and  they  immediately  com 
menced  operations. 

Proceeding  cautiously,  they  came  in  sight  of  the  pickets 
posted  in  squads  of  four  about  twenty  paces  apart. 
This  was  truly  the  climax  of  the  "situation"  and  made 
another  council  necessary,  as  they  laid  themselves 
down  together  in  the  sheltering  undergrowth  ;  some 
thought  escape  impossible,  but  Jordan,  ever  quick 
witted  and  prompt  in  facing  danger,  determined  to 
make  a  bold  effort  before  yielding  to  the  pressure 
against  them. 

They  were  now  on  that  part  of  the  line  which 
skirted  the  edge  of  the  woods,  and  the  Confederates 
could  be  seen,  about  four  hundred  yards  beyond, 
quietly  walking  their  posts,  not  dreaming  of  the  danger 
of  their  comrades,  who  were  watching  them  so  anxi 
ously  from  the  enemy's  picket  line. 

The  active  brain  of  our  Sergeant  soon  concocted  a 
plan,  which  he  communicated  to  his  companions,  and 
told  them  to  follow  him ;  the  four  sprang  upon  the 
pickets,  (four  in  number,)  ordering  them  to  surrender, 
which  they  did  without  waste  of  words,  by  throwing 
13* 


150  HISTORY  OF 

down  their  arms.  They  then  ordered  their  prisoners 
to  run  for  their  lives,  and  the  party,  friend  and  foe, 
dashed  across  the  field,  our  boys  keeping  the  captured 
ones  near  them  for  protection.  Not  a  shot  was  fired 
from  the  enemy,  and  in  a  few  minutes  they  were  safe 
in  our  line,  each  with  his  prisoner. 

The  following  order  was  issued  from  Division  Head 
quarters  soon  after — in  proof  of  the  appreciation  of 
such  service — and  was  read  to  the  troops  on  dress 
parade,  on  the  19th  May,  1863,  while  encamped  near 
Hanover  Junction : 

HEADQUARTERS,  PICKETT'S  DIVISION,  \ 
May  15th,  1863.         / 
Special  Orders  No.  48  : 

The  Major  General  commanding  takes  pleasure  in  expressing  his 
high  appreciation,  to  his  command,  of  the  gallant  and  meritorious 
conduct  of  Sergeant  J.  P.  Jordan,  Company  H,  Seventeenth  Vir 
ginia;  Private  J.  T.  Mills,  Company  H,  Seventeenth  Virginia; 
Private  S.  C.  Madison,  Company  F,  Thirtieth  Virginia,  and 
William  Gravatt,  Company  F,  Thirtieth  Virginia,  in  the  late  siege 
«f  Suffolk.  These  gallant  soldiers,  being  sent  by  their  commanding 
officers,  when  on  picket  duty  on  the  new  Somerton  road,  immedia 
tely  in  front  of  Suffolk,  alone  and  unsustained,  pierced  the  enemy's 
line  of  skirmishers,  penetrated  to  within  a  few  yards  of  his  main 
line  of  battle,  gained  valuable  information,  and  returned,  bringing 
Tvith  them  four  (4)  prisoners  and  all  their  arms  and  equipments. 

It  is  with  especial  pleasure  that  the  Major  General  commanding 
•observes  such  acts  of  gallant  chivalric  daring  among  the  brave  men 
•whom  he  commands,  and  while  the  above-named  soldiers  have,  in 
ao  doing,  written  their  own  names  on  the  roll  of  honor,  it  is  hoped 
that  their  example  will  incite  others  to  deeds  of  a  similar  nature. 

He  desires  that  this  order  be  published  to  each  regiment  and  bat 
talion  of  the  Division  on  dress  parade. 

By  order  of  Major  General  Pickett : 

(Signed)  E.  R.  BAIRD,  A.  A.  A.  Gen'l. 

Official:    H.  BRYANT,  A.  A.  A.  Gen'l. 

To  J.  P.  JORDAN,  Co.  IT,  17th  Va.  Reg't. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY. 

Passing  on  to  the  latter  part  of  May,  we  find  the  28th 
was  the  day  for  the  Gubernatorial,  and  other  State 
officer's  elections.  The  soldiers  in  camp  voted  for  the 
candidates  from  their  districts,  and  quite  a  lively  can 
vass  occurred.  Our  Regiment  was  handsomely  enter 
tained  by  the  brief,  but  happy  remarks  of  Surgeon  IT. 
Snowden,  upon  the  questions  at  issue. 

At  this  time  the  army  of  Northern  Virginia  was 
divided  into  three  corps,  commanded  by  Lieutenant 
Generals  Longstreet,  A.  P.  Hill  and  Ewell,  each  of 
whom  it  is  a  pleasure  for  us  to  remember,  as  Brigadier 
Generals  in  command  of  our  old  Brigade. 

On  the  2d  of  June,  1863,  while  we  were  preparing 
to  attend  a  review  of  the  Brigade,  an  order  was  received 
for  the  Regiment  to  escort  a  wagon  train,  about  to 
visit  King  and  Queen  county  for  the  purpose  of  col 
lecting  forage.  We  were  soon  in  line  with  one  company 
of  the  Fifty-seventh  Virginia  and  a  detachment  of 
cavalry ;  we  moved  off,  taking  the  road  leading  to 
Newtown. 

After  marching  about  ten  miles,  we  were  informed 
that  the  enemy  were  advancing ;  the  Colonel  dispatched 
a  courier  to  General  Pickett  to  inform  him  of  the  re 
port,  and  we  pursued  our  way,  crossing  the  Mattapony 
river  and  halting  on  its  opposite  bank;  the  cavalry 
were  then  sent  forward  to  reconnoitre ;  in  an  hour  we 
moved  on,  and,  at  night,  bivouaced  under  arms  on  the 
Mntococy  creek. 

Early  the  following  morning,  a  courier  arrived  from 
General  Pickett,  informing  Colonel  Herbert  that  the 


152  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Division  would  start  at  four  o'clock  A.  M.  via  the 
Bowling  Green  and  Tappahannock  road ;  we  then 
moved  forward  to  Newtown,  where  we  halted  and 
loaded  the  wagons  with  bacon  and  meal.  The  ladies 
of  the  village  were  very  kind,  sending  us  out  boquets 
of  flowers  and  delicious  eatables  in  abundance.  Some 
of  them  having  expressed  a  desire  to  see  a  dress  parade, 
we  were  marched  to  a  neighboring  field,  and,  with 
pleasure,  gratified  the  wish.  Passing  on  about  five 
miles  beyond,  to  Garnett's  Mill,  companies  A  and  G 
were  sent  out  as  pickets. 

On  the  morning  of  the  4th,  two  brigades  of  the 
Division  arrived  and  bivouaced  a  short  distance  in  ad 
vance  of  us,  the  residue  of  the  Division  remaining 
some  four  miles  to  the  rear. 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  5th,  the  Division  com 
menced  its  return  march  to  our  old  camp  near  Hanover 
Junction,  our  Regiment  having  been  detailed  as  rear 
guard.  When  within  a  few  miles  of  Newtown,  we 
saw  dense  columns  of  smoke  rising  in  our  rear ;  a 
courier  bearing  dispatches  from  General  Pickett  arrived, 
but  we  continued  the  march  towards  Newtown.  On 
reaching  the  above  village,  we  about-faced  and  formed 
in  line  of  battle ;  a  section  of  artillery  was  placed  in  a 
field  near,  and  companies  A  and  I  detached  to  support  it. 

The  report  was  abroad  that  the  enemy  were  landing 
about  five  miles  off  from  three  boats,  and  Company  H 
was  sent  about  half  a  mile  to  the  front  as  a  picket, 
while  a  detachment  of  cavalry,  supported  by  two  regi 
ments  of  infantry,  remained  to  support  us  in  case  the 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         153 

enemy  advanced;  the  remainder  of  the  Division  moved 
on  towards  Hanover  Junction.  About  three  o'clock, 
we  were  relieved  by  a  regiment  from  General  Kemper's 
Brigade.  We  rejoined  the  Division  at  the  Mattapony 
river,  and  passed  the  night  at  "  Ruddy  Mills,"  on  said 
river. 

The  march  was  resumed  next  morning,  the  Seven 
teenth  Virginia  in  advance,  and  about  four  P.  M.,  we 
halted  near  Taylorsville  and  went  into  camp.  On  the 
next  day,  (7th,)  late  in  the  afternoon,  the  Regiment 
fell  into  line  and  moved  down  to  the  railroad  bridge 
over  the  South  Anna  river,  to  which  place  we  were 
sent  as  a  guard. 

The  Division,  except  our  Brigade,  marched  on  the 
8th  to  join  the  army  in  the  neighborhood  of  Culpeper 
Court  House.  We  put  on  a  strong  guard  at  the 
"  Bridge/7  and  throwing  out  pickets  a  short  distance 
in  front,  made  ready  to  resist  any  attack  that  might 
be  made  upon  us.  General  Corse's  Headquarters  were 
at  Taylorsville ;  the  different  regiments  of  his  Brigade 
were  engaged  in  guarding  the  numerous  bridges  in 
that  vicinity.  But  we  were  not  destined  to  remain 
long  in  this  quiet  and  beautiful  spot,  for  on  the  10th, 
orders  came  for  our  departure,  and  being  relieved  by  a 
part  of  the  Twenty-seventh  Xorth  Carolina  Regiment, 
we  marched  to  a  point  about  half  a  mile  beyond  Hanover 
Junction  and  awaited  the  arrival  of  the  rest  of  our 
Brigade.  While  there  we  received  a  visit  from  Col. 
Marye,  which  aifordcd  much  pleasure  to  the  members 
of  his  old  command,  its  only  defect  being  its  brevity. 


154  HISTORY  OF  TEE 

About  eight  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  llth, 
the  Fifteenth  and  Twenty-ninth  regiments  having 
joined  us,  we  began  the  march  in  direction  of  Culpeper 
Court  House,  taking  the  Telegraph  Koad  as  far  as  Mt. 
Carmel,  and  then  the  left  hand  road,  passing  through  the 
village  of  Childsburg,  where  the  Thirtieth  Virginia 
joined  us ;  we  bivouaced  beyond,  having  inarched 
eighteen  miles.  The  march  on  the  following  day, 
(12th,)  was  a  very  tiresome  one,  warm  almost  to  suffo 
cation,  while  the  dust  was  most  uncomfortably  per 
ceptible  ;  we  halted  about  fifteen  minutes  in  every 
hour  to  rest.  "We  bivouaced  about  three  o'clock  P.  M. 
near  Taylor's  Mill,  when  a  courier  arrived,  bidding  us 
to  remain  until  further  orders. 

By  eleven  o'clock  on  the  13th,  orders  arrived  for 
the  Brigade  to  return  to  Hanover  Junction,  and  we 
moved  off,  arriving  about  night  at  the  camp  we  had 
occupied  on  the  night  of  the  llth.  We  marched 
about  four  o'clock  A.  M.  on  the  14th,  and  after  a 
tramp  of  twenty-three  miles,  we  reached  Taylorsville 
and  spent  the  night.  The  next  day  we  took  our  old 
position  at  the  South  Anna  bridge,  settled  down  very 
naturally  to  the  enjoyment  of  the  pleasures  of  fishing, 
bathing  and  boating,  on  the  river.  Our  duties  at  the 
bridge  being  light,  we  all  passed  many  pleasant  hours, 
feasted  on  the  fruits  and  vegetables  of  the  neighbor 
hood,  and  had  a  good  time  generally. 

On  the  night  of  the  24th,  orders  were  received  by 
General  Corse  from  General  Lee  to  report,  with  his 
Brigade,  at  Gordonsville ;  soon  after,  a  dispatch  came 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          155 

from  General  Elsey  at  Richmond,  informing  us  that 
the  enemy  were  landing  troops  at  the  White  House. 
A  guard  of  ten  men,  in  charge  of  a  lieutenant,  was 
detailed  to  remain  at  the  bridge  while  the  residue  of 
the  Eegiment  marched  to  the  Junction,  where  the 
Brigade  was  forming,  and  we  then  moved  on  some  six 
miles  beyond,  where  we  were  overtaken  by  a  courier 
with  the  welcome  news  that  the  cars  were  coming  to 
carry  us  to  Gordonsville. 

About  ten  o'clock  that  night  we  gladly  availed  our 
selves  of  car  transportation,  arriving  at  Gordonsville 
about  daylight  on  the  26th,  and  bivouaced  in  the  woods 
near  the  village  to  await  further  developments. 

On  the  Friday  after  we  left  the  bridge,  on  the  South 
Anna,  the  enemy  appeared,  and  as  a  detail  of  eighty 
North  Carolina  troops  had  been  sent  to  assist  in  its  de 
fence,  the  squad  of  ten  men  and  a  lieutenant,  (formerly 
referred  to,)  were  sent  on  a  scouting  expedition  to  hunt 
up  the  raiders.  Not  long  after  leaving  the  bridge,  as 
they  were  approaching  a  piece  of  woods,  they  were 
greatly  surprised  at  hearing  an  order  to  surrender  from 
a  body  of  the  enemy  among  the  trees;  they  made  an 
attempt  to  escape,  and  four  of  the  men  succeeded.  The 
Federal's  then  moved  down  upon  the  North  Carolinians 
stationed  at  the  bridge,  and  drawn  up  on  either  side  of 
the  railroad  to  receive  them ;  before  attacking,  several 
companies  of  their  dismounted  men  were  sent  over  the 
river  at  a  ford  below,  but  not  until  after  they  had 
taken  position  in  rear  did  our  men  become  aware  of  the 
movement,  and  then  it  was  too  late ;  whilst  attempting 


156  HISTORY  OF  THE 

to  cross  the  bridge  the  whole  force  of  them  fell  into 
the  hands  of  the  enemy,  whose  number  was  estimated 
at  about  twelve  hundred,  while  our  force  consisted  of 
but  eighty.  A  gallant  fight  was  made,  and  twelve  fell 
out  of  the  eighty.  The  enemy  then  set  fire  to  the 
bridge  and  soon  after  retired. 

We  return  now  to  Gordonsville,  where  the  Regiment 
was  in  bivouac  awaiting  further  orders. 

On  the  28th,  about  eight  o'clock  in  the  afternoon, 
we  were  ordered  back  to  Richmond,  and  embarking 
on  the  cars,  at  that  hour,  we  were  transported  thither ; 
arriving  about  daylight  the  succeeding  morning,  we 
encamped  about  three  miles  from  the  city  on  the  north 
side  of  the  James.  On  the  following  day  we  were 
again  ordered  to  move,  and  about  three  P.  M.  we 
marched  to  the  depot  of  the  Central  Railroad ;  after 
remaining  there  patiently  until  about  nine  o'clock  P. 
M.,  we  took  the  cars  for  Gordonsville,  where  we  ar 
rived  after  a  tedious  ride  and  many  stoppages  about 
ten  o'clock  the  next  day. 

We  went  into  camp  near  the  village  and  had  a 
pleasant,  quiet  time,  as  communications  with  Lynch- 
burg  and  Richmond,  for  several  days,  were  entirely 
cut  off.  The  weather  was  warm,  but  we  enjoyed  our 
idle  life  and  relaxation  from  fatiguing  marches,  to  the 
utmost. 

Our  camp  near  Gordonsville  was  broken  up  on  the 
8th  July,  1863,  and  the  Brigade  began  the  march  to 
the  Valley.  After  effecting  a  progress  of  nineteen 
miles  the  first  day,  we  bivouaced  near  Madison  Court 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          157 

House.  On  the  9th,  we  proceeded  to  within  six  miles 
of  Milan's  Gap  and  encamped  on  the  mountain  side ; 
where,  in  the  enjoyment  of  delightfully  cool  water,  a 
pure  bracing  atmosphere,  and  the  unbroken  slumber  a 
tired  soldier  can  so  well  appreciate,  we  were  amply 
remunerated  for  the  fatigues  of  the  march.  Swollen 
streams  were  forded,  and  a  detail  of  twenty  men  from  the 
Brigade  was  made  to  repair  the  roads  for  the  passage 
of  wagons. 

About  six  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  10th,  we 
began  the  ascent  of  the  Blue  Eidge  along  the  steep 
and  winding  road.  It  was  a  glorious  march*  all 
nature  seeming  jubilant.  In  the  rushing  mountain 
streams  we  listened  to  majestic  music,  while  the  forests 
were  vocal  with  melody  from  the  little  throats  that- 
weary  not  in  sounding  the  "  Jubilate  Deo."  The 
gorgeous  sunrise  viewed  from  the  mountain  height,, 
the  evidence  of  Divine  handiwork  bursting  upon  us 
at  every  step,  swelled  our  hearts  with  unutterable 
emotions.  Arriving  upon  the  summit  each  would 
stop  and  gaze  with  breathless  admiration  upon  the 
grandeur  of  the  scenery ;  the  west  side  of  the  range 
particularly,  presented  a  picture  of  unparalleled  beauty; 
farms  clad  in  the  richness  of  garden  spots  were  ranged 
continuously  as  far  as  the  eye  could  reach.  This  por 
tion  of  our  State  not  having  then  experienced  the 
ravages  of  war,  presented  itself  with  luxuious  beauty 
depicted  upon  its  every  feature,  from  the  outstanding 
crops  to  the  barns  and  storehouses  replete  with  it* 
produce. 

14 


1 58  HISTOR  Y  OF  THE 

After  moving  on  about  twenty-two  miles,  we  halted 
a  short  distance  beyond  Luray,  the  county  seat  of 
Page,  and  went  into  bivouac.  The  morning,  (llth,) 
bright  and  early  we  resumed  the  march,  and  had  not 
gone  very  far  when  a  courier  reported  to  General  Corse 
that  the  Shenandoah  was  not  fordable;  the  General 
determined,  however,  to  make  the  attempt  at  a  ford 
higher  up,  so  we  passed  to  the  left  of  the  main  road, 
and  after  marching  about  sixteen  miles,  bivouaced  for 
the  night  near  McKay 's  ford,  on  the  South  Branch. 

On  the  12th,  we  continued  the  march,  forded  both 
branches  of  the  river  which  were  deepened,  widened 
and  the  current  greatly  strengthened  by  recent  rains, 
consequently,  we  made  a  march  of  about  twelve  miles 
only,  so  much  time  being  consumed  in  the  crossing. 

On  the  13th,  we  struck  the  "  Valley  Pike  "  at  Mid- 
dletown,  taking  the  direction  of  Winchester;  im 
mediately  after  marching  through  Newtown,  quite  a 
sizable  village,  we  passed  a  column  of  prisoners  about 
4,700  in  number,  guarded  by  a  regiment  of  infantry, 
a  detachment  of  cavalry  and  two  pieces  of  artillery,  on 
their  way  to  Stauntoii  from  the  battle-field  of  Gettys 
burg,  where  they  had  been  captured ;  we  passed  on 
through  Kearnstown,  (noted  for  the  battle  between 
Generals  Jackson  and  Shields,)  forded  a  stream  four 
feet  deep,  and  arrived  within  a  mile  of  Winchester 
about  three  o'clock  P.  M.  During  the  last  day's 
march  it  had  rained  without  intermission,  consequently, 
when  we  encamped,  no  one  in  the  Regiment  could 
boast  of  a  dry  thread  in  his  clothing. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          159 

We  remained  at  the  camp  near  Winchester  some 
days,  and  learned  the  particulars  of  the  great  battle  of 
Gettysburg,  in  which  the  loss  of  our  Division  was 
unprecedented  ly  heavy.  The  army  had  recrossed  the 
Potomac  about  the  time  of  our  arrival,  when  a  period 
was  allotted  us  for  recruiting  strength,  washing  clothes 
and  righting  up  generally.  Passes  were  granted  the 
men  to  visit  Winchester,  of  which  many  availed  them 
selves.  The  works  surrounding  it  had  been  strength 
ened,  and  every  preparation  made  to  thwart  the  enemy 
in  any  attempt  to  surprise  the  town. 


160  HISTORY  OF  THE 


THE    BATTLE    OF    MANASSAS  GAP;    ONE 

MONTH  IN  TENNESSEE,  AND  WINTER 

OF  '63  AND  '64. 

ON  the  morning  of  20th  July,  1863,  the  camp  near 
Winchester  was  broken  up,  and  our  Brigade,  (as 
the  advance  of  the  army  lately  returned  from  Mary 
land,)  moved  oif  in  direction  ©f  the  mountains.  Strik 
ing  the  Front  Royal  road  about  three  miles  from 
Winchester,  we  proceeded  slowly,  owing  to  the  extreme 
heat  of  the  weather,  and,  at  the  end  of  fourteen  miles, 
bivouaced  near  Cedarville.  About  daylight  on  the 
following  morning  the  march  was  resumed,  and  the 
Brigade  hurried  towards  the  Gap  in  the  mountains. 

The  north  and  south  branches  of  the  Shenandoah 
were  so  high  that  the  troops  had  great  difficulty  in 
fording  them,  particularly  the  latter ;  several  men  were 
carried  down  by  the  rapidity  of  the  current,  and  would 
certainly  have  been  drowned,  had  it  not  been  for  the 
prompt  assistance  of  the  mounted  officers,  who  spared 
no  effort  necessary  to  the  rescue. 

After  passing  through  Front  Royal,  our  Regiment 
was  ordered  to  Manassas  Gap,  east  of  the  town.  The 
enemy  were  in  force  at  Linden  Station,  on  the  east 
side  of  the  mountains,  and  were  advancing  upon  the 
left  of  our  column  by  two  roads,  each  leading  to  the 
town  of  Front  Royal,  one  passing  through  the  Gap  of 
the  Manassas  railroad,  and  the  other,  over  the  m  oun- 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY. 

tain  by  the  little  village  of  "  AYappen."  Companies 
B  and  C  were  detailed  by  Col.  Herbert  to  proceed  out 
the  road  on  the  left,  while  the  remainder  of  the  Hegi- 
ment  met  the  enemy  on  the  road  crossing  the  moun 
tain.  The  principal  fight  took  place  on  the  mountain 
and  resulted  in  the  enemy's  defeat.  The  companies 
fought  bravely  at  both  points ;  at  the  Manassas  road 
the  enemy  were  held  in  check  for  the  greater  part  of 
the  day,  and  when  ever  they  approached  too  near  our 
thin  line,  strongly  posted  in  the  woods  on  the  moun 
tain  side,  they  were  severely  punished. 

This  was  a  victory  of  great  importance  to  our  army ; 
had  the  Federals  succeeded  in  gaining  possession  of 
the  Gaps  at  that  time,  we  can  form  no  conjecture  as 
to  what  the  results  would  have  been,  as  it  is  well 
known,  that  they  had  two  corps  in  reserve  not  far 
distant,  while  our  handful  of  men,  (comparatively 
speaking,)  were  battling  for  most  of  the  day 
against  ten  times  their  number.  Great  credit  was 
awarded  them  from  the  rest  of  the  army,  when  the  facts 
became  known,  and  they  were  loudly  eulogized  on  all 
sides.  Our  loss  was  three  wounded,  (one  of  whom 
afterwards  died,)  five  officers  and  sixteen  men  captured. 

During  the  progress  of  this  battle,  Color  Coporal 
Robert  Buchanan,  Company  H,  seized  the  colors  from 
the  hands  of  Color  Sergeant  Kobert  Steel,  who  fell 
wounded,  and  had  not  held  them  many  minutes  before 
he,  too,  fell  pierced  by  a  ball.  •  His  wound  proved 
fatal ;  after  lingering  many  weeks  in  the  town  of  Lynch- 
burg,  he  died,  lamented  by  his  comrades  in  arms,  and 
14* 


162  HISTOR  Y  OF  THE 

numerous  friends  and  relatives  as  a  gallant,  good  and 
courageous  soldier. 

Those  captured,  were  on  picket  duty  at  the  time, 
and  having  been  surrounded  by  cavalry,  it  was  im 
possible  for  all  to  escape.  The  cavalry  force  opposed 
to  the  Regiment  in  this  battle  was  composed  of  the 
First  and  Second  Regulars  of  the  United  States  Army. 
On  the  east  side  of  the  mountain,  the  Sixth  Pennsyl 
vania  and  the  Fifth  Regulars,  with  a  battery,  were 
posted,  under  command  of  General  Merritt. 

Lieut.  Scott  Roy,  Company  B,  who  was  ^  among 
those  captured,  effected  his  escape  on  the  night  of  the 
22d?  thus,  for  the  second  time,  outwitting  his  captors. 

The  night  of  the  21st  of  July,  was  passed  by  the 
Regiment  on  the  summit  of  the  mountain,  near 
Chester  Gap,  to  which  point  we  marched  after  the 
battle.  Early  on  the  22d,  General  McLaws'  Division 
of  infantry  moved  foward,  clearing  the  way  for  the 
passage  of  the  army.  In  the  afternoon,  we  moved 
through  the  Gap,  and  after  a  tiresome  night  march, 
reached  Game's  Cross  Roads  about  daylight,  and  there 
encamped.  The  weary  men  gladly  threw  themselves 
upon  the  grassy  fields,  and  slept,  during  the  few  hours 
halt,  in  preference  to  preparing  breakfast.  The  column 
was  then  formed,  and  we  again  moved,  taking  the 
direct  route  to  Culpeper  Court  House,  near  which 
point  we  bivouaced  for  the  night.  The  wagon  trains 
were  sent  to  Little  Washington,  and  then  to  Culpeper, 
making  the  trip  in  two  days. 

For  some  days  the  camps  near  Culpeper  were  quiet  and 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         163 

going  through  the  regular  routine  of  duties  peculiar  to 
army  life.  On  the  night  of  the  30th,  Lieut.  Scott 
Roy,  Company  B,  of  this  Regiment,  whose  escape  from 
the  enemy  has  been  referred  to,  returned  to  the  Regi 
ment,  greatly  to  the  surprise  of  all,  as  he  was  generally 
supposed  to  be  dragging  out  the  weary  term  of  a 
prisoner  in  some  of  the  Northern  strongholds.  When 
the  squadron  in  charge  of  the  prisoners,  captured  at 
Manassas,  halted  the  night  of  the  22d  to  rest  and  sleep, 
the  fearlessly  brave  Lieut.  Roy,  undaunted  as  usual  by 
surrounding  circumstances,  promptly  laid  his  plans  to 
circumvent  the  kind  intentions  of  those  having  him  in 
custody,  watched  his  opportunity,  and,  after  they  had 
fallen  asleep,  he  rolled  himself  out  of  the  circle  of  slum 
bering  guards,  made  choice  of  the  finest  horse  in  the 
group,  and  rode  off  without  molestation,  enriched  by 
the  possession  of  a  valuable  steed  and  a  full  cavalry 
outfit,  a  result  which  amply  repaid  him  for  the  incon 
venience  endured  in  obtaining  them. 

While  we  were  encamped  near  Culpeper,  the  enemy 
advanced,  threatening  an  attack.  Troops  were  moved 
to  the  Hazel  river,  where  preparations  were  made  to 
meet  them,  but  no  opportunity  for  battle  was  afforded 
us,  the  enemy  preferring  to  remain  on  the  defensive. 

On  the  3d  of  August,  the  army  again  changed  posi 
tion,  taking  the  direction  of  Orange  Court  House. 
Our  Regiment  marched  with  the  Division,  crossed 
Cedar  Run,  passed  the  battle-field  of  Cedar  Mountain 
at  the  point  where  the  hardest  fight  had  occurred, 
moved  over  the  river  near  Rapidan  Station,  in  the 


164:  HISTORY  OF  THE 

neighborhood  of  which  we  spent  that  night  and  the 
day  following. 

On  the  5th,  we  moved  down  the  river,  and  went  into 
camp  near  Summerville  ford.  Nearly  a  month  was 
passed  in  this  pleasant  locality;  the  Regiment  was 
increased  in  strength  and  numbers  by  the  return  of 
the  sick  and  wounded  reinvigorated  by  several  months 
absence  and  rest.  The  period  was  passed  quietly,  and 
without  other  occupation  required  of  us  than  the 
regular  camp  duties,  which  proved  highly  beneficial  to 
all,  recuperating  health,  energy,  and  buoyancy  of  spirit 
for  the  winter's  campaign. 

On  the  18th,  orders  were  received  allowing  fifteen 
days  furlough  to  two  men  in  each  hundred,  by  which 
numbers  were  sent  home  rejoicing.  A  great  revival  of 
religion,  throughout  General  Lee's  army,  took  place 
during  its  encampment  on  the  Eapidan,  which  added 
many,  from  every  regiment,  to  the  Army  of  the  Cross. 

On  the  8th  of  September,  1863,  the  camping  grounds 
of  Pickett's  Division  were  left  bare,  and  we  began  the 
march  to  Petersburg.  The  first  night  was  passed 
about  five  miles  east  of  Gordonsville,  nothing  occur 
ring  on  the  route  worthy  of  noting  as  an  incident  of 
interest.  The  following  day  we  passed  through  Gor 
donsville,  and  bivouaced  within  two  miles  of  Louisa 
Court  House.  The  march  was  rather  a  rapid  one 
in  such  torid  weather,  consequently,  many  lagged, 
being  utterly  incapable  of  locomotion  at  such  a  gait, 
for  so  long  a  time. 

On  the  10th,  we  moved  seventeen  miles;  the  day 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          165 

was  cloudy,  hence,  there  was  not  so  much  suffering  from 
heat.  The  vicinity  of  Richmond  was  reached  on 
the  12th,  and  we  encamped,  the  men  in  good  spirits, 
and  glad  to.  be  so  near  the  "  City  of  Seven  Hills." 
During  the  following  day,  the  Division  marched 
through  the  city  to  the  depot  of  the  R.  &  P.  R.  R., 
occupied  the  cars,  and  were  conveyed  to  Petersburg, 
near  which  we  went  into  camp.  On  the  afternnon  of 
the  14th,  we  moved  down  to  the  depot  of  the  South- 
side  Railroad,  for  Lynchburg,  the  trains  leaving  the 
city  after  night  had  set  in.  Our  Brigade  only  em 
barked,  the  residue  of  the  Division  remaining  in  the 
vicinity  of  Petersburg.  A  very  sad  affair  occurred 
prior  to  our  leaving  the  depot.  Two  of  our  Regiment 
becoming  involved  in  a  quarrel  with  each  other,  Hirst, 
of  Company  F,  a  good  soldier,  was  mortally  wounded 
by  a  stab  in  the  groin,  inflicted  with  a  small  knife  in 
the  hands  of  the  other,  belonging  to  Company  G. 
The  latter  was  arrested  and  confined  for  trial  in 
Petersburg,  but  finally  acquitted,  and  returned  to  his 
company. 

Arriving  in  Lynchburg  early  on  the  morning  of  the 
15th,  we  remained  until  evening,  when  we  left  on  the 
V.  &  T.  R.  R.  train,  and  traveled  all  night,  reaching 
Glade  Spring  the  next  afternoon.  Several  hours  were 
passed  at  Wytheville,  many  of  the  Brigade  taking  ad 
vantage  of  the  opportunity  for  a  stroll  through  the 
village.  Just  before  leaving,  Hansborough,  of  Com 
pany  K,  had  his  hand  crushed  by  the  cars,  One  of  the 
Fifteenth  Virginia  was  also  wounded;  he  fell  from  the 


1G6  HISTORY  OF  THE 

cars  while  they  were  in  motion,  thereby  fracturing  his 
leg  so  severely  as  to  render  amputation  necessary. 

At  daylight,  on  the  17th,  we  arrived  at  Zollicoffer, 
Tenn.,  having  halted  a  short  time  at  Bristol,  a  town 
belonging,  according  to  State  lines,  equally  to  Tennessee 
and  Virginia.  The  cars  were  unloaded,  and  the  Brig 
ade  encamped  near  the  village.  The  ride  from  Peters 
burg  to  Tennessee  was  truly  a  pleasant  change  from 
our  previous  tedious  marches ;  the  scenery  from  either 
side  of  the  route,  in  passing  through  the  rich  valley  of 
Koanoke,  was  magnificent,  and  doubly  recompensing  a 
lover  of  nature  for  any  annoyances  occasioned  by  the 
trip.  The  fair  sex  was  well  represented  at  each  station 
we  passed,  and  our  hearts  gladdened  by  kind  words 
and  gentle  smiles,  as  most  acceptable  lunches  to  regale 
our  inner  man  were  dispensed  to  us  by  delicate  hands. 
It  is  hard  to  determine  which  was  most  grateful  to  us. 
Perhaps  the  memory  of  both  nerved  our  arms  to  more 
valorous  deeds,  but  be  that  as  it  may,  we  shall  always 
think  of  them  with  pleasure. 

We  were  all  much  pleased  with  the  wild  country  of 
East  Tennessee,  so  different  from  the  open  fields  of  the 
section  we  had  just  left.  Provisions  were  abundant, 
and  fruit,  so  much  sought  for  in  Virginia,  abounded. 
The  grist  mills  in  the  vicinity  were  kept  grinding  in 
cessantly  day  and  night  to  supply  the  army.  The  army 
was  commanded  by  General  Jones,  an  officer  who  had 
spent  the  greater  part  of  the  war  in  that  section  of  our 
Confederacy. 

On  the  1 9th,  it  was  ascertained  that  the  enemy  were 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY. 

advancing  in  our  direction  from  the  village  of  Blounts- 
ville,  and  preparations  were  made  to  give  them  a  warm 
reception.  The  Brigade  was  marched  a  short  distance 
from  camp,  the  regiments  placed  in  position  on  the 
hillside,  and  pickets  from  the  Twenty-ninth  Virginia 
Regiment  thrown  out.  The  next  morning,  (20th,)  the 
enemy  neared  our  picket  line,  throwing  out  their  dis 
mounted  cavalry  as  skirmishers.  They,  no  doubt,  ex 
pected  their  advance  to  meet  with  but  slight  resistance, 
but  upon  striking  the  brave  men  of  the  Twenty-ninth, 
they  met  with  such  sharp  repulse,  that  they  fell  back 
discomforted.  Several  rounds  of  shell  from  a  mountain 
howitzer  were  fired  at  our  line,  but,  fortunately,  did  no 
damage.  The  Twenty-ninth  Virginia  lost  two  killed, 
and  four  wounded,  in  the  skirmish.  The  Federals  then 
withdrew,  taking  the  road  to  Bristol,  thus  leaving  us 
for  a  while  in  quiet. 

On  the  24th,  they  again  approached  our  line,  and 
after  discharging  a  few  shots  at  our  pickets,  which 
were  promptly  reciprocated,  they  retraced  their  route 
in  direction  of  Blountsville. 

A  small  party  of  the  Quartermaster's  Department, 
belonging  to  our  Regiment,  while  returning  from 
Bristol,  where  they  had  been  on  duty,  met  a  squad  of 
the  Confederate  Tennessee  cavalry,  and,  as  night  had 
closed  in,  each  mistook  the  other  for  the  enemy,  and  the 
cavalry  fired  into  the  squad,  scattered  them  into  the 
woods,  giving  them  a  good  scare,  and  furnishing  mate 
rial  for  a  long  and  exciting  story  after  their  return  to 
camp  of  an  attack  from  a  large  body  of  the  enemy. 


168  HIST  OR  Y  OF  THE 

This  was  all  spoiled,  however,  and  the  participants 
quite  crest-fallen,  when  enlightened,  after  the  narration 
of  their  wonderful  escape  had  been  listened  to  by  many, 
by  the  information  that  the  imaginary  foe  was  in  reality 
a  party  of  our  own  cavalry. 

One  of  our  Brigade  officers,  (Staff,)  was  so  over-joyed 
at  hearing  the  glorious  news  from  Bragg's  army,  that 
he  snatched  up  a  gun  and  charged  upon  a  cow  standing 
in  the  road ;  the  creature  very  naturally  retreating,  de 
veloped,  to  his  astonished  gaze,  the  form  of  a  lady 
seated  upon  a  stool  in  front  of  an  overturned  milk  pail. 
The  Lieutenant  apologized,  explained  and  righted 
matters,  to  the  best  of  his  ability,  but  could  not  restore 
the  "  spilt  milk." 

On  the  27th,  the  Regiment,  in  company  with  the 
Brigade,  moved  down  to  Carter's  Station,  ten  miles 
below  Zollicoffer,  and  remained  there  until  the  30th, 
when  it  inarched  back,  and  embarked  on  the  cars  for 
Lynchburg.  We  arrived  in  Lynchburg  on  the  1st  of 
October,  without  anything  worthy  of  note  having 
transpired ;  here  we  idled  our  time  away  until  the  fol 
lowing  night;  during  our  stay,  Captain  Wallace,  of 
the  Fifteenth  Virginia,  was  severely  hurt  from  a  fall 
over  a  railroad  tie,  and  one  of  the  Thirtieth  Virginia 
was  killed  by  a  negro,  on  the  outskirts  of  the  town. 

About  11  o'clock,  on  the  night  of  the  2d,  we  took 
the  cars  for  Petersburg,  arriving  safely  the  following 
morning.  We  remained  near  there  for  several  days, 
and  on  the  8th,  our  Kegiment  was  detached  from  the 
Brigade,  and  sent  by  railroad  to  Ivor  Station,  P.  &  N. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY. 

R.  R.,  where  we  went  into  camp,  on  the  left  of  the 
road,  opposite  the  Station.  Colonel  Herbert,  at  this 
pointj  was  in  command  of  the  Department  known  as 
the  "Blackwater  line/'  with  his  Headquarters  at 
Ivor. 

Soon  after  our  arrival  there,  a  regular  camp  was  laid 
out,  and  the  tents  pitched.  Clothing  was  issued,  and 
most  of  us  put  in  comfortable  trim  for  the  winter.  We 
found  oysters  and  sweet  potatoes  abundant,  the  former 
could  be  purchased  for  $5.00  per  gallon,  and  the  latter 
for  $6.00  per  bushel.  The  remainder  of  our  Brigade 
left  Petersburg  for  Dublin,  "Va.,  on  the  15th  of  Octo 
ber,  General  Armistead's  Brigade  having  gone  to  North 
Carolina  some  days  previously. 

On  the  21st  and  22d,  a  number  of  refugees  from 
Norfolk  came  into  our  lines,  having  been  sent  out  of 
the  city  by  the  United  States  authorities ;  most  of  our 
tents  were  vacated  for  their  accommodation,  and  as  the 
trains  came  down  but  twice  a  week,  they  were  neces 
sarily  compelled  to  remain  two  nights.  There  were 
many  pleasant  ladies  in  the  party,  and  our  time  passed 
with  agreeable  rapidity  in  their  society.  The  first 
night  of  their  stay,  they  were  serenaded  by  the  Glee 
Club  of  the  Regiment ;  the  next  night  we  arranged  for, 
and  enjoyed  a  dance  in  honor  of  their  presence,  in  a 
wheelwright's  shop  near  the  Station.  When  the  train 
came  down  on  the  23d,  the  ladies  were  escorted  thereto 
and  regretfully  bidden  farewell ;  the  remembrance  of 
those  truly  happy  hours,  so  replete  with  social  pleasure, 
will  ever  be  bright  in  the  hearts  of  no  small  portion  of 
15 


170  HISTORY  OF  THE 

the  Seventeenth  Virginia,  though  they  never  more 
may  meet,  in  this  life,  those  gentle  heroines. 

On  the  24th,  Colonel  Herbert  sent  in  a  flag  of  truce 
to  Suffolk,  accompanied  by  some  of  our  wagons  in 
charge  of  the  Quartermaster,  for  the  purpose  of  trans 
porting  from  there  more  refugees  to  some  points  within 
our  lines. 

Two  of  our  companies  were  posted  on  picket  at  the 
river ;  above  and  below  the  infantry  pickets,  outposts 
of  cavalry,  were  constantly  kept  on  the  alert,  in  case 
of  an  advance  by  the  Federal  troops.  On  the  3d,  4th, 
and  5th  days  of  November,  salt  was  distributed  among 
the  citizens  of  the  adjoining  counties;  great  numbers 
of  them  came  in  gladly  to  get  it,  riding  in  every  con 
ceivable  sort  of  conveyance ;  a  large  majority  freighted 
with  something  they  hoped  to  sell  to  the  soldiers.  On 
the  9th,  we  received  orders  to  march ;  previous  to  this 
time,  Colonel  Herbert,  having  dispatched  Lieut.  Roy, 
Company  B,  on  a  scout  into  the  enemy's  line  near 
Suffolk,  received  information  of  their  not  being  in  very 
strong  force  at  that  place.  In  company  with  a  detach 
ment  of  cavalry  and  a  section  of  artillery,  we  vacated 
our  camp  at  Ivor,  crossed  the  Blackwater  at  Broad 
Run  Ferry,  and  halted  about  11  o'clock  P.  M.,  near  a 
Mr.  Marshall's,  where  we  slept  on  the  ground  without 
fires ;  it  was  cold  napping,  but  as  we  were  on  a  "  Sur 
prise  party"  expedition,  we  did  our  best  to  enjoy  it. 

The  march  was  resumed  on  the  10th,  and  upon  ar 
riving  at  Windsor  Station,  we  halted,  stacked  arms, 
and  awaited  the  report  of  a  party  of  the  cavalry  sent 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          171 

forward  upon  a  scout ;  they  returned  not  many  hours 
after  at  full  speed,  with  seven  prisoners,  eight  fine 
horses,  and  an  excellent  spring  wagon,  all  of  which 
they  had  captured  in  Suffolk.  The  next  morning  we 
returned  to  Ivor,  not  having  accomplished  the  object 
at  which  we  aimed,  the  why  and  wherefore  of  the  failure 
being  ascertained  only  upon  our  arrival  at  Windsor. 

Lieut.  Scott  Roy,  who  had  been  captured  while 
scouting  within  the  Federal  lines,  returned  to  camp  on 
the  15th,  having  for  the  third  time  outwitted  his  cap 
tors.  It  appears,  that  after  he  was  captured,  some 
Federal  officer  recognized  him  as  one  who  had  escaped 
once  or  twice  before,  and  to  make  themselves  doubly 
sure  of  retaining  him  this  time,  they  placed  him,  with 
his  comrade,  (one  of  Company  B,)  in  an  upper  room  of 
Fort  Norfolk,  and  deputed  a  heavy  guard  to  take  care 
of  him.  Roy  had  advised  the  Federals  to  watch  him 
closely,  as  he  intended  to  leave  them,  if  possible.  So, 
after  remaining  several  nights  in  the  Fort,  he  and  his 
companion  cut  through  the  roof  of  the  building,  and, 
sliding  down  the  lightning-rod,  passed  the  sentinel's 
beat  in  the  darkness,  and  finding  a  canoe  near  the  Fort, 
on  the  river,  quickly  availed  of.  it  and  paddled  up  the 
Nansemond  to  a  convenient  landing,  whence  they  came 
into  camp. 

Early  in  the  month  of  January,  1864,  our  Regiment 
marched  in  direction  of  Chuckatuck,  on  a  reconnoisance ; 
without  anything  of  importance  transpiring,  we  re 
turned  the  following  day  to  camp.  This  move  was 
made  in  consequence  of  a  report  of  the  arrival  of  two 


172  HISTORY  OF  THE 

gunboats,  from  which  the  enemy  were  landing  a  raid 
ing  party ;  it  was  incorrect,  however,  there  was  only 
one  gunboat,  and  no  attempt  to  land. 

On  the  23d  of  January,  after  a  long  rest  and  quiet 
winter,  our  Eegiment  took  the  cars,  and  arrived  safely 
in  Petersburg,  where  several  days  were  spent.  On  the 
28th,  we  left  Petersburg  for  Kingston,  N.  C.,  prepara 
tory  to  the  attack  contemplated  upon  Newbern  at  that 
time,  and  arrived  on  the  30th  ;  on  the  evening  of  that 
day  the  march  to  Newbern  was  commenced;  on  the  1st 
of  February,  we  arrived  near  the  city,  and  opposite 
Fort  Anderson.  This  was  the  longest  forced  march 
the  Regiment  had  ever  been  called  upon  to  make, 
having  traveled  53  miles  in  27  hours.  It  being  con 
sidered  impracticable  to  attack  the  Fort  at  this  time, 
Col.  Bearing,  in  command  of  the  troops,  ordered  a 
withdrawal,  and  after  another  weary  march  over  the 
sandy  roads  of  North  Carolina,  the  Regiment  reached 
its  encampment,  near  Kingston,  on  the  5th  of  Feb 
ruary. 

The  following  day,  (6th,)  the  march  was  commenced 
to  Goldsboro',  where  we  arrived  on  the  7th.  On  the 
24th,  we  were  ordered  to  Lexington,  N.  C.,  to  quell  a 
disturbance  apprehended  in  that  locality.  We  remained 
two  days  and  then  returned  to  Goldsboro',  leaving 
Companies  F  and  I  as  a  guard ;  after  a  stay  of  about 
ten  days,  the  companies  above-mentioned  rejoined  the 
Regiment. 

On  the  7th  of  March,  we  moved  by  railroad  to 
Kingston,  where  we  encamped.  At  that  time  the 


SEVENTEENTH  VIR  GIN  I  A  1NFANTR  Y.         173 

Brigade  marched  to  Deep  Creek  as  a  feint,  to  prevent 
the  Yankees  from  reinforcing  Plymouth  from  Newbern, 
while  that  place  was  besieged  by  General  Hoke.  The 
Regiment  encamped  on  the  Neuse  river,  and  whilst 
there,  a  conscript  member  of  Company  G  was  tried  by 
court  martial  at  Petersburg,  for  desertion,  sent  to  the 
Regiment  at  Kingston,  where  he  was  executed  on  Fri 
day,  April  1st,  being  shot  in  the  back. 

The  rations  at  this  time  were  rather  light,  consisting 
of  1J  Ibs.  of  meal  and  J-  Ib.  of  bacon  per  day,  with  an 
occasional  ration  of  rice  or  beans.  The  prices  of  every 
thing,  at  all  saleable,  were  enormously  high,  as  the 
following  price-list  will  show  :  Board  in  Richmond, 
at  private  house,  $25.00  per  day ;  at  hotel,  $30.00  per 
day,  $10.00  per  meal;  butter,  $12.00  per  Ib.;  sugar, 
$8.00;  coffee,  15.00;  beef,  $8.00;  bacon,  $7.00;  flour, 
per  barrel,  $300.00 ;  corn  meal,  per  bushel,  $50.00 ; 
shoes,  per  pair,  $100.00;  boots,  $350.00. 

On  the  3d  of  May,  General  Corse's  Brigade  marched 
from  Kingston  to  participate  in  the  contemplated  at 
tack  upon  Newborn,  by  General  Hoke's  command. 
Arriving  in  front  of  Newbern  on  the  5th,  our  Regiment 
was  assigned  a  position  in  the  line  of  battle  on  the  east 
of  the  city,  bordering  upon  the  river.  During  the 
evening  and  night,  we  were  under  a  terrific  fire  from 
the  gunboats  of  the  enemy,  but  suffered  no  loss.  The 
operations  in  Virginia  having  caused  the  suspension  of 
hostilities  against  Newbern,  before  an  attack  had  been 
made,  our  Regiment  was  ordered  back  to  Kingston, 
where  it  arrived  on  the  8th ;  orders  were  immediately 
15* 


174  EISTOR  Y  OF  THE 

issued  for  cooking  three  days  rations  as  preparatory  for 
the  return  to  Virginia. 

The  great  battle  of  the  Wilderness  commenced  on 
the  6th,  between  Generals  Lee  and  Grant;  on  that  day, 
General  Longstreet  was  severely  wounded.  The  enemy 
were  repulsed  at  all  points,  and  a  great  number  of  them 
killed,  wounded  and  captured. 

On  the  9th,  our  tents  \vere  struck,  and  a  general 
packing  up  ensued  in  the  Eegiment  to  make  ready  for 
the  trip  to  Petersburg ;  we  then  marched  into  town, 
stacked  arms  in  the  street,  and  there  passed  the  night. 
During  the  night  three  regiments  of  the  Brigade  and 
the  artillery,  embarked  on  the  cars  for  Petersburg. 
The  following  morning  we  left  in  the  train,  which 
was  laden  with  the  pontoons  of  the  Division ;  between 
Wilmington  and  Weldon,  a  fire  having  broken  out  in 
the  woods,  had  spread  to  the  railroad  and  consumed 
or  rendered  useless  a  portion  of  the  ties ;  consequently, 
we  were  delayed  at  that  point  until  the  damage  Was 
repaired,  wjhieh  prevented  our  reaching  Weldon  until 
about  daylight.  Moving  down  to  Bellplain,  we  left 
the  train,  the  track  in  advance  of  us  having  been  torn 
up  and  the  bridges  burned  by  a  raiding  party  from 
the  enemy.  We  then  marched  about  nine  miles  to 
Stony  Creek  Station,  where  we  again  availed  of  the 
cars  and  traveled  for  Petersburg,  arriving  there  on  the 
12th,  about  two  o'clock  P.  M. 

We  moved  about  three  miles  from  the  city  and 
encamped  for  the  night,  tired  and  pretty  well  worn, 
from  the  eifects  of  hard  marching  and  excessive  fatigues. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          175 


THE  BATTLES   OF  FLAT  CREEK  AND 
DRURY'S   BLUFF. 

UPON  our  arrival  at  Petersburg,  on  the  12th  of 
May,  1864,  we  learned  that  Butler  had  landed  at 
City  Point,  with  about  25,000  troops,  and  that  several 
fights  had  already  taken  place.  There  being  but  a 
handful  of  men  present,  on  Butler's  arrival,  General 
Pickett  had  the  engines  on  the  rail  roads  around  fired 
up  and  moved  to  and  fro,  while  their  whistles  re 
sounded  in  the  most  business  like  manner,  creating 
the  impression,  that  large  reinforcements  were  at  hand, 
thus  producing  the  desired  eifect  of  saving  the  city 
from  capture.  A  force  of  the  enemy  sent  to  Chester 
Station,  destroyed  the  railroad  and  burned  the  build 
ings,  but  they  were  soon  after  driven  back,  until  they 
found  protection  under  cover  of  their  gunboats. 

On  the  above  date,  12th,  Gen'l  Beauregard  arrived 
and  assumed  command  of  the  army  around  Petersburg. 
On  the  morning  of  the  13th,  we  were  ordered  to  the 
vicinity  of  Amelia  Court  House,  on  the  line  of  the 
Danville  Railroad,  to  repel  a  Cavalry  raid,  which 
threatened  destruction  to  the  railroad  bridges  in  that 
locality.  In  company  with  the  Thirtieth  Virginia,  we 
availed  of  the  cars  at  Petersburg,  and  traveled  therein 
as  far  as  Burkeville  Junction,  and  thence,  were 
moved  rapidly  down  the  road,  about  twenty-six  miles, 


176  HISTORY  OF  THE 

to  the  neighborhood  of  two  large  bridges,  arriving 
about  three  o'clock  P.  M.  Just  before  reaching  the 
iron  bridge,  the  Federals  made  their  appearance,  but 
did  not  attack  us,  as  the  Eighth  and  Thirtieth  Virginia 
regiments  were  in  position  to  receive  them.  Finding 
the  force  sufficient  at  that  point,  we  passed  on  to  the 
wooden  bridges,  and  took  our  position.  Three  com 
panies  of  the  Regiment,  B,  C,  and  I,  were  ordered  to 
the  bridges  over  Flat  Creek.  Company  B  was  posted 
above  the  railroad  bridge,  and  instructed  to  guard  the 
county  road  bridge,  which  had  been  barricaded  by 
order  of  Colonel  Herbert  the  night  before;  Companies 
C  and  I  were  put  in  position  below  the  railroad 
bridge ;  the  residue  of  the  Regiment  acted  as  a  reserve 
ready  to  reinforce  either  point,  in  case  of  need. 

About  midnight,  the  men  were  called  up,  the  scouts 
having  reported  the  enemy  at  the  Station  some  two 
miles  above ;  soon  after,  we  heard  the  pickets,  across 
the  bridge,  firing.  About  daylight,  we  moved  to  the 
bridge,  and  had  scarcely  taken  position  behind  the 
embankment  of  the  railroad,  when  the  enemy's  pickets 
opened  fire,  and  our  pickets  were  driven  in. 

Their  main  force  attempted  to  obtain  possession  of  the 
bridge,  guarded  by  Company  B,  under  command  of 
Capt.  Lehew.  They  opened  upon  it  with  artillery, 
then  charged  with  a  detachment  of  cavalry,  but  the 
steadiness  with  which  their  attack  was  received  and 
responded  to,  forced  them,  after  severe  fighting,  to 
retire,  leaving  several  of  their  dead  within  a  few  feet 
of  the  bridge.  The  greatful  acknowledgment  of  the 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          177 

Company's  services  at  this  time,  was  publicly  expressed 
to  them  by  the  Colonel  commanding.  Our  loss  was  two 
killed  and  two  wounded.  Company  B — Privates  M. 
Eoberts  and  Joseph  Kellar,  killed;  Privates  Joseph 
Miller,  in  arm,  and  L.  Reager,  (who  afterwards  died,) 
wounded. 

The  attack  below  the  bridge  was  made  by  a  heavy 
line  of  skirmishers,  who  were  driven  back  by  Com 
panies  C  and  I,  reinforced  by  Company  E.  The  battle 
was  in  progress  about  three  hours  before  the  enemy 
commenced  to  retire,  at  which  time  the  remainder  of 
our  Regiment  passed,  by  order,  over  the  bridge  with 
a  line  of  skirmishers  in  front,  and  drove  them  towards 
Amelia  Court  House.  We  found  nine  of  their  dead 
on  the  field,  and  as  we  crossed  the  bridge,  we  captured 
thirteen,  five  of  whom  were  wounded;  we  came  in 
possession  also,  of  a  number  of  carbines,  sabres  and 
pistols.  Most  of  their  wounded  had  been  carried  off 
in  ambulances;  from  the  prisoners  we  learned  that 
their  force  consisted  of  four  companies  of  cavalry,  and 
six  pieces  of  artillery,  under  command  of  Gen'l  Kantz. 

On  Sunday  morning,  May  15th,  we  marched  to 
Powhatan  Station,  six  miles  distant,  and,  after  remain 
ing  about  an  hour,  received  a  dispatch  from  Richmond 
containing  orders  for  a  return  to  the  bridge.  Fortu 
nately,  the  trains  had  just  arrived  from  Richmond, 
thus  enabling  us  to  avail  of  them  for  transportation  to 
our  old  position.  Soon  after,  another  dispatch  arrived, 
in  consequence  of  which  we  made  ready  for  transfer  to 
Drury's  Bluff. 


178  HISTORY  OF  THE 

That  evening,  we  passed  on  board  the  Danville  rail 
road  train,  and  were  carried  by  it  to  Richmond,  where 
we  arrived  about  midnight.  Passing  through  Man 
chester  to  the  Petersburg  Railroad,  we  found  the  cars 
in  readiness  for  us ;  after  riding  about  eight  miles,  we 
left  the  cars,  marched  down  the  pike,  and  took  our 
position  in  line  of  battle,  and  under  fire,  losing  Sergeant 
Major  Hart  and  several  men ;  the  Brigade  occupied 
the  extreme  right  of  the  line,  our  Regiment  being  the 
second  from  the  left. 

About  ten  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  16th, 
(Monday,)  the  order  to  charge  the  enemy  was  given, 
and  the  Brigade,  composed  of  the  Fifteenth,  Seven 
teenth,  Eighteenth,  Twenty-ninth  and  Thirthieth 
Virginia  Regiments,  commanded  by  General  Corse, 
moved  against  the  enemy  in  gallant  style,  driving 
them  from  their  fortifications,  killing  and  wounding 
a  great  number,  and  capturing  many  prisoners.  It  is 
as  well  to  remark  here,  that  as  the  Brigade  was  pre 
paring  to  charge,  General  Corse  received  a  wound 
across  the  loins,  but  as  in  previous  instances,  he  did 
not  allow  the  injury  to  prevent  his  taking  the  front  of 
the  line,  as  it  moved  against  the  enemy.  The  charge 
was  made  with  a  vigorous  yell,  and  the  enemy  was 
forcod  to  retire  nearly  a  mile  from  his  entrenchments. 
After  the  Federals  were  driven  from  our  immediate 
front,  they  still  held  a  position  on  the  extreme  right, 
where  we  were  losing  heavily.  When  the  Regiment 
was  reformed,  and  joined  by  men  and  officers  from  the 
rest  of  the  Brigade,  it  changed  front,  and  by  a  flank 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         179 

fire,  drove  them  from  their  last  position.  The  injury 
oar  Regiment  sustained  in  killed  and  wounded  was 
not  heavy,  and  the  wounds  of  many  were  but  slight. 

Casualties  at  Drury's  Bluff  Battle,  May  16,  1864. 

Field  and  Staff— Wounded,  Colonel  A.  Herbert, 
slightly ;  Major  R.  H.  Simpson,  leg  amputated — died 
June  9,  1864;  Ensign  Robert  Steele,  arm,  severely; 
Sergeant  Major  T.  G.  Hart,  mouth. 

Company  A — Wounded,  Privates  S.  McMurran, 
face,  and  E.  T.  Johns. 

Company  B — Killed,  Private  John  N.  Brown. 

Company  C — Killed,  Private  R.  Muckle ;  wounded, 
Private  J.  T.  Brightwell,  side — mortally. 

Company  D — Killed,  Private  Robert  Corbett; 
wounded,  Private  S.  Spindle,  leg  amputated. 

Company  E — Wounded,  Privates  Wm.  Underwood, 
knee — severely ;  H.  C.  Crowder,  thigh  and  foot ;  F. 
Fields,  J.  Rudd,  Geo.  Summers,  Chas.  Arrington  and 
Briggs,  slightly. 

Company  F — Wounded,  Private  William  Baxter, 
severely. 

Conjpany  G — Killed,  Private  William  Haywood ; 
wounded,  Sergeant  Jas.  Fisher,  slight ;  Privates  T.  W. 
Austin,  face — severely;  John  Harrigan,  abdomen — 
mortally ;  T.  G.  Elliott,  leg ;  L.  Loving,  slight. 

Company  II — Killed,  Corporal  John  T.  Mills; 
wounded,  Captain  W.  H.  Fowle,  Jr.,  leg — severely. 

Company  I — Killed,  Private  Jas.  Whalen. 

Company  K— Killed,  Private  H.  A.  R.  Stanfield ; 


180  HISTORY  OF  THE 

wounded,  Privates   Henry  Briggs,  shoulder;   G.  T. 
Mooney,  slightly. 

Recapitulation. 

Killed 7  \    rp  ,  i    on 

Wounded 23  /    Iotal>  3°< 

The  line  then  moved  to  the  breastworks  of  the 
enemy,  and  the  men  of  Company  A  were  deployed  as 
skirmishers ;  the  position  was  strengthened,  and  rifle 
pits  dug  for  our  pickets  with  the  shovels  captured  from 
the  Federals. 

A  quantity  of  sugar,  coffee,  "  hard  tack,"  rubber 
blankets,  canteens,  money,  watches,  &c.,  &c,,  were  also 
among  the  spoils. 

Major  Eobert  H.  Simpson,  during  this  engagement, 
received  a  musket  shot  in  his  knee ;  amputation  was 
resorted  to  in  the  hope  of  saving  a  valuable  life,  but 
without  avail ;  he  died  in  Richmond,  June  9,  1864. 
"  His  loss  was  a  source  of  deep  and  painful  regret  to 
the  entire  Regiment;  a  graduate  of  the  Virginia  Mili 
tary  Institute,  he  was  among  the  first  to  buckle  on  his 
sword  for  his  country.  'As  Captain  of  Company  B, 
Warren  Rifles/  at  the  organization  of  the  Regiment, 
he  had  shared  all  its  vicissitudes  and  perils  up  to  the 
time  of  his  death.  Being  thoroughly  familiar  with 
the  duties  of  the  officer  and  soldier,  and  with  a  fearless 
and  conscientious  discharge  of  his  responsibilities,  in 
both  field  and  camp,  he  combined  the  qualities  of  an 
estimable  gentleman  with  a  kind  and  agreeable  com 
panion  in  arms." 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY. 

After  this  temporarily  effectual  defeat  of  the  enemy, 
our  troops  held  possession  of  the  line  until  evening, 
when,  in  accordance  with  an  order  received  about 
three  o'clock  P.  M.,  they  moved  to  the  extreme  left,  a 
distance  of  about  two  miles,  passing  under  a  galling 
fire  from  the  enemy's  artillery.  Immediately  after 
arriving,  our  Regiment  was  counter-marched,  and 
returned  to  its  former  locality,  near  the  Petersburg 
turnpike,  where  we  formed  a  second  line  of  battle 
in  rear  of  the  first,  and  passed  the  night,  the  lines 
continuing  in  undisturbed  quietude. 

On  the  morning  of  the  17th,  our  forces  advanced 
in  three  columns,  in  the  second  of  which  our  Regi 
ment  was  placed.  We  had  the  satisfaction  of  finding 
that  our  antagonists  had  fallen  back,  upon  lines  around 
Bermuda  Hundreds.  The  Petersburg  turnpike  was 
well  strewn  with  broken  drums,  guns,  cartridge  boxes 
&c.,  which  they  had  thrown  away  in  their  flight. 
The  buildings  occupied  for  hospital  purposes,  contained 
a  number  of  wounded,  among  whom  were  some  of  our 
own  men.  A  line  of  battle  was  formed  in  the  enemy's 
front,  and  about  half  a  mile  west  of  the  Hewlett  House. 
The  position  of  our  Regiment  was  near  the  centre, 
and  not  far  distant  from  the  building  occupied  by 
Butler,  as  his  headquarters. 

Towards  midnight  a  strong  demonstration  was  made 
in  our  front,  and  several  companies  were  sent  forward 
to  the  support  of  our  skirmishers.  The  firing  was 
prolonged  for  about  an  hour,  when  the  enemy  con 
cluded  to  retire;  the  Regiment  then  resumed  work 
16 


182  HISTOR  T  OF  THE 

upon  the  breastworks  in  course  of  erection.  Several 
hours  after,  the  Federals  returned  with  a  few  pieces 
of  Light  Artillery,  and  a  heavy  fire  was  poured  upon 
us  the  remainder  of  the  night. 

Throughout  the  entire  day  of  the  18th,  heavy  skirm 
ishing  was  going  on  ;  a  small  party  sent  out  to  con 
struct  a  battery,  was  discovered  and  driven  back. 
The  line  was  inspected  by  General  Beauregard  in  the 
afternoon,  and  such  changes  ordered  as  his  unques 
tionably  military  genius  suggested. 

On  the  19th,  the  gunboats  opened  on  our  line  and 
continued  their  shelling  operation  at  intervals  during 
the  whole  day;  one  of  our  Regiment,  Geo.  W.  Raney, 
Company  C,  was  deprived  of  his  legs,  poor  fellow,  by 
a  piece  of  shell,  whilst  in  front  of  the  pickets. 

General  Corse's  Brigade  left  the  trenches  on  the 
James  river,  after  night  on  the  19th,  and  marched  to 
Richmond  city,  where  it  halted  in  the  Capitol  Square, 
and  remained  until  the  next  morning  about  three 
o'clock  A.  M.,  when  the  trains  on  the  Fredericksburg 
Railroad  transported  it  to  Penola  Station,  thirty-two 
miles  from  Richmond.  About  three  o'clock  in  the 
afternoon  of  the  same  day,  (20th,)  upon  which  we  ar 
rived  at  Penola,  information  was  received  that  the 
raiders  were  moving  upon  Chesterfield  Station ;  leaving 
two  regiments  to  protect  Penola,  the  remainder  of  the 
Brigade,  (our  Regiment  included,)  moved  forward  to 
intercept  them.  After  marching  about  three  and 
a  half  miles,  we  came  to  the  road  over  which  the 
enemy  must  necessarily  pass  in  order  to  reach  the 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         183 

Station ;  here,  we  threw  out  skirmishers,  formed  line 
of  battle,  and  awaited  their  approach.  About  dark, 
General  Rosser's  Brigade  of  cavalry  joined  us,  with  a 
batallion  of  artillery.  They  had  been  watching  the 
movements  of  the  enemy,  and  reported  his  cavalry 
supported  by  a  corps  of  infantry.  It  afterwards  came 
to  light  that  General  Corse  had  been  endeavoring  to 
entrap  General  Hancock's  Corps.  A  mighty  deed,  if 
it  could  have  been  carried  out,  considering  the  small 
Brigade  commanded  by  the  former. 

We  rested  on  our  arms  the. night  of  the  21st,  which 
passed  quietly.  On  the  22d,  we  moved  a  short 
distance,  fronting  the  railroad,  and  again  formed  in  line 
of  battle,  but  were  soon  after  ordered  to  Hanover  Junc 
tion.  The  armies  of  both  Generals  Lee  and  Grant 
were  at  this  time  moving  in  direction  of  Richmond, 
General  Lee,  however,  having  the  inside  track. 

Just  before  reaching  the  North  Anna  river,  we 
overtook  General  Swell's  Corps,  marching  towards 
our  destination ;  Y»TC  halted  until  it  had  passed,  when 
we  fell  into  line  of  General  Longstreet's  Corps,  then 
under  command  of  General  Anderson;  we  marched  all 
night,  halted  south  of  the  North  Anna,  and  bivouaced. 
There  was  sharp  skirmishing  between  the  cavalry 
forces  beyond  the  river,  on  the  23d.  In  the  afternoon 
of  the  same  day,  our  Division  moved  to  the  neighbor 
hood  of  the  Junction,  and  being  held  as  a  reserve, 
encamped  in  a  piece  of  woods,  but  before  the  night  was 
over  we  were  ordered  to  the  front. 

General  Grant's  attempts  at  flanking  General  Lee, 


184  HISTORY  OF  THE 

had  all  proved  abortive,  so  lie  had  rested  for  a  short 
time  on  the  North  Anna,  where  our  army  watched  his 
every  movement.  Fortifications  were  thrown  up  by 
our  forces,  and  preparations  made  for  battle,  but  our 
opponents,  for  very  good  reasons,  declined  making 
an  attack  at  that  time. 

On  the  27th,  General  Grant  moved  on,  followed  by 
our  army,  which  kept  pace  with  his  movements,  until 
arriving  at  Cold  Harbor,  when  the  two  again  faced, 
built  very  strong  fortifications,  and  rested  awhile. 

On  the  31st,  Butler  having  withdrawn  his  army 
from  the  neighborhood  of  Petersburg,  General  Beau- 
regard's  troops  passed  through  Richmond  and  added 
their  strength  to  the  army  of  General  Lee. 

On  the  3d  of  June,  a  part  of  our  line  near  Cold 
Harbor  was  assaulted,  and  after  a  very  bloody  battle, 
the  assaulting  party  was  repulsed  with  very  heavy 
loss  in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners ;  our  loss  was 
comparatively  light.  Our  Regiment,  with  the  brigade, 
was  daily  engaged  in  heavy  skirmishing,  equal  in 
losses  and  hard  fighting  to  many  of  the  earlier  battles 
of  the  war. 

On  the  7th,  the  line  of  skirmishers  in  front  of  our 
Regiment  advanced,  drove  the  enemy  out  of  his  first 
line  of  breastworks  and  made  a  picket  line  of  it.  Our 
loss  was  two  wounded,  both  mortally.  Private  Wm. 
Terrett,  of  Company  H,  and  Sergeant  J.W.  Newcomb, 
of  Company  D.  Privates  A.  G.  Embrey,  Company 
K,  and  Wm.  Hickson,  Company  B,  were  also  killed 
while  on  this  line. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.        185 

The  lines  were  strong  with  abatis  in  front ;  about 
three  hundred  yards  in  front  of  our  Brigade,  our 
pickets  were  posted,-  while  those  of  the  enemy  were 
about  one  hundred  yards  distant,  and  his  main  line 
of  battle  behind  strong  earthworks,  about  seventy 
yards  beyond  them.  Music  from  the  bands  of  the 
enemy  was  of  no  unfrequent  occurrence ;  on  one  oc 
casion  they  struck  up  "  Dixie,"  which  brought  forth 
on  our  side,  a  loud  and  prolonged  cheer ;  immediately, 
that  was  succeeded  by  "Yankee  Doodle,"  when  a 
thundering  groan  was  emitted,  while  the  Yankees 
cheered  lustily.  Our  rations  whilst  on  this  line  were 
ample  and  of  a  superior  quality  to  those  ordinarily 
issued ;  bacon,  corn  meal,  coffee,  sugar,  salt  and  rice 
or  beans,  were  issued  every  day. 


16s 


186  HISTORY  OF  TEE 


THE  SUMMER  OF  1864. 

On  the  13th  of  June,  our  troops  were  in  motion 
early,  in  consequence  of  the  enemy  having  withdrawn 
from  the  front  of  General  Lee's  army  during  the  pre 
vious  night.  About  eight  o'clock  the  Corps  moved, 
crossed  the  Chickahominy  on  the  McClellan  bridge, 
passed  over  the  battle  fields  of  Seven  Pines  and  Frazier's 
Farm,  and  about  the  same  hour  P.  M.,  encamped  near 
Malvern  Hill.  General  Grant  was  evidently  making 
for  the  Southside,  so  the  main  part  of  our  army  marched 
down  within  striking  distance  of  the  nearest  point 
needed  by  them. 

About  five  o'clock  A.  M.,  on  the  15th,  after  our 
Division  had  received  marching  orders,  they  were 
countermanded,  just  as  the  rear  brigade  was  moving 
out  of  camp ;  thereupon,  we  returned,  resuming  our 
old  position.  The  next  morning,  (16th,)  at  daylight 
we  moved,  crossed  the  James  river  on  the  pontoon 
bridge  at  Drury's,  and  marched  in  direction  of  Peters 
burg.  As  the  head  of  the  column,  passing  leisurely 
along,  reached  a  point  some  five  miles  from  the  above- 
mentioned  city,  it  was  fired  upon  by  the  enemy. 
Skirmishers  were  immediately  thrown  out,  and  the 
troops  of  that  portion  of  the  column  formed  in  line  of 
battle ;  they  soon  discovered  that  the  enemy's  troops 
were  in  possession  of  our  breastworks;  (General  Beau- 
regard  having  been  forced  to  withdraw  most  of  his 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          187 

troops  from  them,  in  order  to  defend  Petersburg,  leav 
ing  only  a  skirmish  line  for  their  protection.)  General 
Hunton's  skirmishers  attacked  them  so  vigorously,  as 
to  drive  them  back.  Our  Brigade  moved  down  through 
the  woods,  until  it  reached  the  first  line  of  breastworks. 
The  Fifteenth  Virginia,  and  some  companies  from  the 
Seventh  Virginia  Regiment  were  then  deployed  beyond 
the  fortifications  as  skirmishers,  while  the  residue  of 
the  Brigade  marched  by  the  right-flank  down  the  earth 
works,  until  reaching  that  portion  thrown  up  by  them 
on  the  17th  ultimo;  here,  the  pickets  of  the  enemy 
appeared  in  front,  and  we  exchanged  fire. 

By  this  time  our  skirmishers  arrived,  and  the  order 
to  charge  having  been  given  them,  they  obeyed  with 
alacrity,  driving  the  Federals,  first  from  their  rifle-pits, 
and  then  from  their  line  of  earthworks.  Our  Regiment 
moved  forward,  took  possession  of  these  breastworks 
and  threw  out  pickets ;  one-third  of  the  men  were 
ordered  to  remain  up  at  a  time,  ready  for  duty  during 
the  night. 

Just  before  daylight,  on  the  following  morning,  the 
other  regiments  of  the  Brigade  marched  forward  to  our 
position,  and  the  Seventeeth  Virginia  was  ordered  to 
the  front  as  skirmishers.  We  deployed  and  took  posi 
tion  in  a  ravine,  some  three  hundred  yards  from  the 
breastworks ;  we  had  hardly  arrived,  when  the  Federals 
opened  on  us  briskly.  Their  fire  was  quickly  returned, 
and  thus,  for  an  hour,  the  picket  fight  was  continued ; 
the  enemy  occupied  rifle-pits  and  a  Church,  about  four 
hundred  yards  in  our  front. 


1 88  HISTOR  Y  OF  THE 

About  three  o'clock  P.  M.,  our  Regiment  was  re 
lieved  and  returned  to  the  main  line;  just  after,  our 
artillery  opened  a  heavy  fire  upon  the  enemy ;  loud 
musketry  then  commenced  in  front,  our  troops  having 
attacked,  and  driven  their's  from  a  portion  of  our  old 
position  they  had  continued  to  hold. 

On  the  18th,  the  position  of  our  Brigade  was  changed 
to  the  occupancy  of  that  part  of  the  line  nearest  the 
Howlett  House,  on  the  James  river.  Our  Regiment 
was  posted  on  the  right,  about  half  a  mile  from  the 
river. 

About  four  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  of  the  18th,  our 
artillery  opened  a  rapid  fire  upon  the  enemy,  which 
continued  thirty  minutes ;  our  pickets  then  advanced^ 
drove  the  Yankees  out  of  their  rifle-pits,  and  established 
our  skirmish  line  in  advance  of  our  old  one.  We  had 
one  man  wounded  only,  while  we  captured  a  few 
prisoners  from  them. 

The  fortifications  on  the  south  side  at  that  time  were 
defended  by  Pickett's  Division,  and  became  known  as 
the  "Hewlett's  Line;"  they  extended  not  quite  three 
miles  in  length,  from  the  James  to  the  Appomattox 
rivers,  and  consisted  of  a  heavy  line  of  earthworks  along 
the  entire  distance,  with  felled  trees  at  intervals  in 
front,  and  rifle-pits,  for  the  protection  of  the  pickets, 
still  beyond.  Heavy  guns  were  mounted  at  the  How 
lett  House,  overlooking  the  river,  to  guard  against  the 
passage  of  gunboats  up  the  stream ;  occasionally  the 
guns  were  put  in  requisition,  and  then,  heavy  cannon 
ading  proceeded  therefrom. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          189 

General  Grant's  army  was  on  the  south  side  of  the 
Appomattox,  next  to  Petersburg ;  his  lines  extended 
from  the  river,  in  a  semi-circular  shape,  to  a  point  be 
yond  the  P.  &  ]ST.  E.  R.  General  Smith's  Corps,  (10th,) 
was  in  front  of  the  Hewlett's  Line.  On  the  19th,  the 
complimentary  order  of  General  Lee,  upon  the  gallantry 
of  our  Division  in  recapturing  the  works  on  the  16th, 
was  read  to  the  regiments. 

On  the  20th,  our  Brigade  moved  further  to  the  left, 
allowing  space  for  General  Davis'  Brigade  to  take 
position  in  the  line.  A  very  sad  accident  occurred  in 
the  Regiment  soon  after  moving.  Adam  Goucher,  of 
Company  I,  accidently  discharged  his  gun,  the  load  of 
which,  passing  through  his  head,  killed  him  instantly. 
At  night,  the  pickets  in  front  of  our  Regiment  were 
advanced  about  two  hundred  yards  without  meeting 
with  any  trouble,  thus  securing  a  better  position. 

On  the  21st,  the  Confederate  gunboats  on  the  James; 
moved  a  little  below  the  Hewlett  House,  and,  in  con 
junction  with  our  heavy  land  batteries,  opened  fire  on 
the  fleet  of  the  enemy,  which  replied  promptly,  and 
thus  the  fight  was  kept  up  all  the  afternoon,  though 
but  little  damage  was  done ;  one  of  the  heavy  land 
guns  at  Hewlett's  was  dismounted,  and  one  man 
wounded. 

The  following  day,  our  scouts,  who  were  kept  in 
front  to  watch  the  movements  of  the  Federals,  reported 
a  very  perceptible  stir  among  them,  hence,  orders  were 
issued  to  prepare  for  action,  but  as  it  amounted  to 
nothing,  we  resumed  our  original  state  of  quietude. 


1 90  HISTOR  Y  OF  THE 

About  four  o'clock  on  the  23d  of  June,  our  batteries 
opened,  but  received  110  reply ;  after  continuing  the  fire 
for  at  least  one  hour,  we  desisted.  There  was  but  little 
picket  firing,  at  this  time,  along  the  line.  Some  several 
days  previously,  a  considerable  force  of  the  enemy  had 
re-crossed  the  James  river  and  entrenched  themselves 
at  Deep  Bottom.  Our  removal  further  to  the  right, 
on  the  24th,  thinned  the  line,  one  brigade  already  hav 
ing  been  sent  across  the  James.  There  was  artillery 
firing  nearly  all  day,  from  which  the  woods  in  our  front 
were  set  on  fire,  and  numbers  of  shells  that  fell  and 
had  not  exploded  were  bursted  at  intervals  through  the 
day,  as  the  heat  reached  them,  rendering  them  far  from 
agreeable  neighbors. 

A  number  of  deserters  came  in  at  various  times,  on 
the  Hewlett's  Line,  from  some  of  whom  valuable  in 
formation  was  obtained.  The  4th  of  July  passed  away 
very  quietly,  the  position  in  front  of  Bermuda  Hun 
dreds  not  being  attacked,  as  many  of  the  men  supposed 
it  would  have  been.  The  month  of  July  glided  past, 
causing  no  change  whatever  in  our  position.  The 
regular  picket  guard  was  daily  sent  forward,  the  men 
remained  at  their  posts,  and  extraordinary  quiet  reigned. 
The  pickets  often  exchanged  newspapers,  and  conversed 
with  each  other  across  the  lines,  portions  of  which  were 
only  a  short  distance  apart.  Being  on  such  good  terms, 
there  was,  of  course,  no  firing  indulged  in ;  occasionally, 
a  cannon  shot  was  fired,  or  the  guns  on  the  river  bank 
opened  on  the  fleet ;  with  these  exceptions,  the  days 
were  Sunday-like  in  their  dullness,  while  the  men  were 
not  at  all  injured  by  extra  duty. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY. 

An  attack  was  expected  on  the  night  of  the  29fch, 
which  did  not  take  place.  About  4  o'clock  on  the 
morning  of  the  30th,  General  Grant's  long-talked  of 
Mine,  was  sprung.  The  explosion  took  place  on  the 
line  around  Petersburg,  under  a  battery  posted  at 
Elliott's  salient,  and  about  one  and  a  half  miles  from 
the  city.  The  breastwork  was  demolished,  and  the 
earth,  for  a  space  of  about  250  feet  in  circumference, 
violently  thrown  out,  leaving  a  hole  about  40  feet  deep. 
The  battery,  (men  and  guns,)  with  three  companies  of 
infantry,  (who  occupied  the  redoubt  as  a  support  to 
the  battery,)  were  thrown  high  into  the  air,  and  shared 
a  most  heart-rending  death.  Before  the  smoke  had 
cleared  away,  a  heavy  force  of  the  enemy,  massed  for 
the  purpose,  were  hurried  forward  and  occupied  the 
breach  made  in  our  fortifications ;  their  guns  from  all 
sides  opened,  and  a  general  hubbub  ensued. 

The  Confederate  troops  on  either  side  of  the  breach, 
were,  at  first,  thrown  into  much  confusion,  but  soon 
rallied,  and  closing  upon  the  enemy,  fought  with  des 
peration  ;  but  it  was  quite  impossible  for  so  small  a 
force  to  battle  with  successful  results  against  about  one- 
third  of  General  Grant's  army;  consequently,  they 
were  compelled  to  fall  back,  though  but  a  short  dis 
tance.  The  enemy,  pushing  his  men  through  the 
breach,  occupied  about  300  yards  of  our  line.  General 
Mahone  arrived  just  about  this  time,  and,  encouraging 
our  men  by  his  presence,  succeeded  in  forcing  back  a 
large  portion  of  the  enemy,  capturing  great  numbers 
of  prisoners,  and  occupying  a  part  of  the  works. 


192  IlISTOR  Y  OF  THE 

Later  in  the  day,  another  attack  was  made  upon  him, 
and  he  was  entirely  driven  out,  leaving  numbers  of  his 
dead  on  the  iield,  855  men,  74  officers,  (including  one 
Brigadier  General  and  his  staff,)  12  stands  of  colors,  and 
4  pieces  of  artillery,  in  our  possession. 

Their  loss  in  killed  and  wounded  was  unquestion 
ably  heavy,  judging  from  the  numbers  of  their  white 
and  negro  soldiers  left  on  the  field.  Our  loss  was 
small ;  the  enemy  gained  nothing  by  this  great  event, 
from  which  their  people  had  seemed  to  anticipate  so 
much,  the  time  at  which  it  was  expected  to  transpire 
having  been  announced  by  their  newspapers. 

On  the  same  day,  (30th,)  one  of  our  Brigade,  belong 
ing  to  the  Thirtieth  Virginia,  was  shot  for  desertion  to 
the  enemy ;  having  been  caught  with  a  party  of  Fed 
eral  raiders,  he  was  recognized,  tried,  and  condemned ; 
his  execution  took  place  at  12  o'clock,  M. 

On  the  1st  of  August,  1864,  a  flag  of  truce  was  sent 
in  by  General  Grant,  asking  the  privilege  of  burying 
his  dead.  It  was  granted,  causing,  for  the  first  time 
in  months  that  had  passed,  a  general  quiet,  for  five 
hours,  on  the  lines  around  Petersburg.  At  the  expir 
ation  of  the  truce,  the  guns  and  mortars  of  the  Federals 
re-opened.  On  the  5th  of  August,  the  enemy  opened 
a  "  Masked  Battery/'  and  the  night  was  made  hideous 
with  the  shot  and  shells  spluttering  around ;  the  gun 
boats  and  land  batteries  also  opened,  and  the  uproar 
was  prolonged  for  hours.  At  this  time,  the  wells, 
which  had  been  ordered  to  be  dug  in  rear  of  each  regi 
ment  on  the  Hewlett's  Line,  had  been  completed, 
resulting  in  supplies  of  excellent  water. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  193 

About  this  time,  a  law  creating  an  Invalid  Corps 
having  been  passed,  Colonel  M.  Marye  asked  to  be 
transferred  to  it,  so  that  his  Regiment  might  have  a  full 
compliment  of  field  officers,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel 
A.  Herbert  might  be  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Colonel, 
the  duties  of  which  office  he  was  filling  so  acceptably 
to  all.  His  request  was  complied  with  by  the  War 
Department,  and  Lieutenant  Colonel  Herbert  promo 
ted  to  the  Colonelcy.  Captain  Grayson  Tyler,  who 
had  been  acting  Major  of  the  Regiment  since  the  fall 
of  Major  R.  H.  Simpson,  was  promoted  to  the  Lieu 
tenant  Colonelcy. 

The  troops  fared  well,  though  all  merchantable 
articles,  especially  edibles,  were  at  exorbitant  prices : 
Potatoes,  $4  per  quart.  Onions,  cymlings,  and  toma 
toes,  from  75  cents  to  $1  each.  Pies  from  $2.50  to  $3. 
apiece,  according  to  size.  Cider,  $1  per  quart.  Apples,, 
from  $2  to  $3  per  dozen.  Our  soldiers'  pay  was  $16 
per  month. 

On  the  night  of  the  5th  of  August,,  the  small  mine,, 
completed  under  the  enemy's  picket  line  and  a  sap  that 
they  were  working  in  front  of  Grade's  salient,  on  the 
Petersburg  side  of  the  Appomattox,  was  sprung  by  our 
troops,  blowing  up  the  Federal  skirmish  line,  and  conir- 
pletely  demolishing  the  work  under  the  sap,  thu& 
entirely  frustrating  their  purpose.  Their  troops,  for  & 
while,  were  thrown  into  great  confusion,  thinking,  per 
haps,  that  we  were  about  to  attack  them,  but  as  no  such, 
thing  had  been  intended  by  our  army,  the  scene  closed; 
with  a  fierce  artillery  duel. 
17 


194  HISTORY  OF  THE 

General  Lee,  in  company  with  General  Pickett, 
inspected  the  Hewlett's  Line  on  the  10th  of  August. 
They  were  also  present  at  the  shelling  of  the  enemy's 
camps  and  batteries  near  Dutch  Gap,  from  our  batter 
ies  at  Hewlett's,  on  the  12th ;  we  had  one  man  killed 
and  six  men  wounded  in  the  fight. 

About  the  14th,  General  Grant  moved  a  considera 
ble  part  of  his  army  to  the  north  side  of  the  James 
river,  and,  for  several  days,  the  air  was  filled  with  the 
thunderings  of  artillery  from  that  direction.  Several 
divisions  from  the  Petersburg  line,  and  three  regiments 
from  ours,  were  sent  over,  and  hard  fighting  took 
place ;  but  as  the  Federals  gained  nothing,  by  the  19th 
most  of  their  troops, had  returned  to  the  south  side. 

Heavy  fighting  took  place  on  our  extreme  right, 
near  the  Weldon  Railroad,  during  the  19th,  20th,  and 
21st  instants,  when  the  enemy  succeeded  in  gaining  a 
foothold  and  fortifying  himself.  They  lost  heavily  in 
both  killed  and  captured,  but  with  forces  so  numeri 
cally  superior  to  our  own,  an  immense  depletion  in 
their  rank  and  file  would  have  been  necessary  before 
they  could  have  had  cause  to  feel  that  they  had  sus 
tained  serious  loss. 

Not  long  before  daylight  on  the  25th,  the  men  of 
our  Regiment  were  awakened  by  the  discharge  of 
musketry  on  their  right ;  tumbling  out  and  forming 
into  line  was  but  a  minute's  work ;  we  soon  discovered 
that  our  skirmishers  were  charging  the  enemy's  pickets, 
in  order  to  get  possession  of  a  ridge  in  front  of  Generals 
Barton's  and  Hunton's  brigades. 


SE VENTEENTH  VIR  G1NIA  1NFANTR  Y.         195 

The  right  advanced  first,  then  the  left ;  the  latter 
was  repulsed  by  the  enemy,  and  our  loss  was  consider 
able.  The  right,  consisting  of  Generals  Barton's  and 
Hunton's  brigades,  drove  the  Federals  from  their  rifle- 
pits,  killing  and  wounding  some,  and  capturing  59 
prisoners.  Soon  after,  however,  the  enemy  having 
received  reinforcements,  drove  back  General  Hunton's 
men,  but  General  Barton  retained  the  position  captured 
in  front  of  his  line.  Our  Regiment  had  five  wounded 
and  one  captured ;  after  about  two  hours'  fighting,  quiet 
was  again  restored  and  time  passed  off  as  usual. 

The  following  day,  (26th.)  a  heavy  battle  occurred 
on  our  extreme  right,  in  the  vicinity  of  Rheiin's  Station. 
The  Federal  cavalry  were  employing  themselves  in 
tearing  up  the  track  of  the  Weldon  Railroad,  and, 
whilst  thus  engaged,  General  Hampton,  with  his  cav 
alry,  overhauled  them,  driving  them  back  beyond  their 
infantry  supports,  and  then,  dismounting  his  men,  he 
fought  their  infantry,  driving  them  back  upon  their 
strong  works,  and  capturing  some  800  prisoners. 

At  this  time,  General  A.  P.  Hill's  Corps  advanced, 
made  a  vigorous  attack  upon  their  strong  position,  and, 
completely  routing  them,  succeeded  in  capturing  their 
breastworks,  together  with  a  large  number  of  prisoners, 
9  pieces  of  artillery,  and  7  stands  of  colors. 

During  this  period,  prayer  meetings,  morning  and 
evening,  were  held  in  our  Brigade  camp,  and  many 
determined  to  relinquish  the  fleeting  pleasures  of 
worldly  enjoyment,  and  become  followers  of  that 
Saviour  who  bids  all :  "  Take  my  yoke  upon  you,  and 


196  HISTOR  Y  OF  THE 

learn  of  me ;  for  I  am  meek  and  lowly  in  heart,  and 
ye  shall  find  rest  for  your  souls,  for  my  yoke  is  easy 
and  my  burden  is  light"  A  Christian  Association  had 
also  been  formed,  of  which  Colonel  Herbert  was  Presi 
dent.  Such  meetings  and  associations  served  greatly 
to  lighten  the  toils,  trials,  and  monotonies  of  camp  life. 

The  fever  and  ague  having  broken  out  amongst  the 
men,  spread  to  an  alarming  extent ;  more  than  half  the 
men  of  one  of  our  regiments  were  confined  with  them, 
and  among  the  members  of  one  battery,  near  us,  there 
was  not  a  sufficiency  of  men  well  enough  to  work  their 
guns. 

The  Dutch  Gap  sappers  and  miners,  furnished  by 
Butler,  were  very  frequently  much  annoyed  by  our 
mortar  shelling,  and  their  work  progressed  slowly. 
The  Gap  is  a  narrow  neck  of  land  running  out  towards, 
and  not  very  far  from,  the  Hewlett  House,  but  on  the 
opposite  side  of  the  river.  This  neck  making  a  great 
curve  in  the  James  Kiver,  Butler  expected,  by  ditch 
ing,  or  canal  making,  to  pass  our  obstructions  and  bat 
teries  without  trouble ;  as  disappointment  comes  least 
to  those  who  expect  least,  he  found  this  road  a  hard 
one  to  travel. 

On  the  10th  of  September,  one  of  our  Regiment, 
Cologne,  Co,  K,  was  captured  whilst' on  post  beyond 
the  pickets. 

September  was  a  quiet  month  for  our  Regiment, 
there  being  but  little  fighting,  and  our  duty  not  being 
at  all  heavy.  During  the  latter  part  of  the  month, 
General  Longstreet,  having  recovered  from  his  wound, 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          197 

returned  to  his  Corps,  and,  on  the  28th,  in  company 
with  Generals  Pickett  and  Corse,  he  appeared  along 
our  line ;  had  not  the  fear  of  drawing  upon  the  party 
a  fire  from  the  enemy  restrained  them,  the  boys  would 
have  given  "  Old  Pete,"  as  many  of  them  called  him, 
a  rousing  cheer  of  satisfaction. 

Fort  Harrison,  on  the  north  side  of  the  James,  was 
attacked  at  an  early  hour  on  the  morning  of  the  29th, 
and  captured.  One  regiment  from  each  brigade  of  our 
Division  was  ordered  to  the  scene  of  conflict,  and,  on 
the  following  day,  our  forces  attacked  the  enemy,  mak 
ing  two  attempts  to  recapture  the  Fort,  both  of  which 
were  unsuccessful.  In  the  afternoon  of  the  same  day, 
a  terrific  cannonading,  coupled  with  heavy  picket 
firing,  was  indulged  in  on  the  Petersburg  line ;  the 
noise  was  continued,  without  intermission,  until  late  in 
the  night. 

It  is  only  those  who  have  witnessed  such  rifle  and 
mortar  shelling  as  frequently  took  place  upon  the 
above  mentioned  line,  from  over  500  guns  and  mortars 
at  a  time,  can  comprehend  the  grandeur  of  the  scene ; 
words  are  inadequate  to  describe  the  feelings  of  the 
beholder,  as  myriads  of  shells  and  shot,  rising,  falling, 
crossing,  curving,  and  bursting,  in  awful  splendor,  in 
the  front,  to  the  right,  left,  and  rear  of  his  position ; 
illumining  the  heavens  with  their  glare,  for  miles. 

The  ditching  of  Butler's  famous  Dutch  Gap  Canal 

continued,  and,  during  September,  numerous  attempts 

were  made  by  our  forces,  with  heavy  land  batteries,  in 

conjunction  with  the  James  river  fleet,  to  breakup  the 

17* 


198  HISTORY  OF  THE 

work,  but,  like  a  ground  hog,  he  continued  his  burrow 
ing,  and  the  stronger  the  endeavor  to  unearth  him,  the 
more  obstinately  he  persisted  in  his  work. 

The  many  hard  fought  battles  that  had  transpired 
©n  different  parts  of  the  line,  the  diminished  fare 
issued  to  the  troops,  and  the  monotonous  life  led  by 
them  in  the  trenches,  were  begining  to  shew  their 
effects  very  plainly  in  the  spirit  of  depression  to  which 
many  of  the  men  were  succumbing.  For  over  three 
years  they  had  battled  in  defence  of  all  that  was  dear 
to  them  in  life,  with  gallantry  and  zeal  well  nigh  un 
exampled  in  the  annals  of  the  history  of  any  nation. 
The  results  of  the  sacrifices  they  had  so  cheerfully 
endured  were  disheartening  in  the  extreme;  hemmed  in 
on  all  sides  by  an  invading  host,  whose  majority  was 
composed  of  the  refuse  population  from  every  point  of 
the  compass,  afforded  but  little  prospect  for  the  estab 
lishment  of  that  liberty,  in  the  defence  of  which,  so 
many  noble  Southern  hearts,  passed  from  the  tumult 
of  the  battle  field,  to  the  Court  of  their  God. 

Notwithstanding  this  depression,  notwithstanding  the 
fact  that  they  had  scarcely  space  allowed  them  for 
necessary  bodily  exercise,  their  escutcheon  remained 
untarnished.  Battles  were  yet  to  be  fought  in 
which  that  energy,  the  most  powerful  capacity  of 
which  is  the  offspring  of  trial  and  suffering,  and  the 
instigator  to  unparalelled  exertion,  must  shew  itself 
equal  to  the  emergency.  There  were  but  few,  if  any, 
delinquents  from  duty,  in  these  trying  scenes,  among 
those  enrolled  as  members  of  the  Seventeenth  "Virginia. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  199 

The  history  of  a  regiment,  in  contrast  with  that  of 
an  army,  is  seemingly  but  a  small  affair,  yet,  in  the 
hearts  of  the  relatives  and  friends  of  the  members  of  a 
single  company,  the  record  of  the  entire  outside  world 
is  insignificant  indeed,  in  comparison  with  that  which 
chronicles  the  chivalrous  deeds  and  unblemished  repu 
tation  of  the  atom,  as  it  were,  with  whose  honor  is 
identified  that  of  their  own  and  their  neighbor's  house 
holds. 


200  HISTORY  OF  THE 


THE  WINTER  OF  '64  AND  '65. 

THE  month  of  October,  1864,  opened  with  a  heavy 
rain ;  the  water  pouring  down  in  torrents,  rendered 
camp  life  in  the  trenches,  not  altogether  as  agreeable 
as  it  might  have  been,  under  other  circumstances. 

General  Forrest  was  busy  in  the  rear  of  Sherman's 
army  in  the  West,  destroying  the  railroads  and  cut 
ting  off  his  supplies ;  General  Beauregard  had  been 
sent  from  the  army  of  Northern  Virginia,  to  the  com 
mand  of  two  departments  in  the  South,  embracing 
General  Hood's  army,  and  those  of  our  forces  in 
Florida  and  around  Charleston,  South  Carolina ;  the 
latter  named  place  was  in  command  of  General  Har- 
dee ;  Butler  was  still  engaged  in  digging  at  Dutch 
Gap,  under  severe  artillery  shelling,  whilst  General 
Lee  and  his  men,  were  in  and  around  Richmond  and 
Petersburg,  defending  the  Capitol  of  the  Nation.  The 
position  of  our  army  remained  unaltered,  while  the 
daily  crack  of  the  sharpshooter's  rifle  and  the  quick 
report  of  the  bursting  shells,  resounded  from  the  hills 
around,  as  of  yore. 

No  new  attempt  at  a  "  grand  flank  movement w  had 
been  indulged  in  by  General  Grant,  with  his  hordes 
of  well-fed  soldiers,  consequently,  time  passed  in  the 
ordinary  routine  of  duties,  varied  at  times  by  heavy 
artillery  duels,  conducted  between  the  land  batteries 
of  the  enemy  near  Dutch  Gap,  and  our  own  guns  at 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          201 

the  Hewlett  House.  Our  terribly  thinned  line  of 
half  famished  men,  held  their  own  before  the  swarm 
ing  ranks  of  the  army  of  the  Potomac,  which  were  on 
both  sides  of  the  James  and  Appomattox  rivers ;  the 
bulk  of  its  forces  had  been  withdrawn  from  the  North 
to  the  South  side,  and  resting  near  City  Point  from 
their  toils  and  losses  in  the  battles  near  Fort  Harrison, 
were  busily  concocting  new  movements. 

On  the  7th  of  the  month,  at  an  early  hour,  a  brigade 
of  our  cavalry  supported  by  infantry,  made  an  attack 
upon  the  enemy,  posted,  with  their  right  wing  resting 
on  the  Charles  city  road,  and  their  main  infantry  force 
near  Fort  Harrison,  and  drove  them  from  two  lines 
of  intrenchments,  forcing  them  back  upon  the'  New 
Market  road,  upon  a  third  line  of  heavy  works.  We 
captured  ten  pieces  of  artillery,  with  their  caisons  and 
horses,  and  a  number  of  prisoners  ;  our  loss  was  but 
slight.  General  Gregg  fell  in  this  battle,  at  the  head 
of  his  Brigade,  nobly  doing  his  duty. 

During  the  first  of  this  month,  the  men  on  the 
Hewlett's  Line  were  kept  busy  arranging  for  winter 
quarters ;  log  huts  covered  with  boards,  were  erected 
near  the  line,  and  the  rifle-pits  in  front  were  also 
covered  to  protect  the  pickets  from  the  weather. 

This  line  had  become  so  quiet,  and  the  picket  firing 
so  unfrequent,  that  it  was  no  longer  necessary  for  the 
troops  to  shelter  themselves  behind  the  earthworks, 
hence,  they  could  sleep  once  more  above  ground,  with 
a  feeling  of  security. 

On  the  13th,  the  enemy  made  another  effort  to  ad- 


202  HISTORY  OF  TEE 

vance  his  position  on  the  North  side,  but  his  attempts 
were  all  fruitless.  His  final  effort  for  that  day,  was 
made  in  the  afternoon,  when  he  brought  a  superior 
force  against  that  portion  of  our  fortifications  (on  the 
North  side) ;  this,  however,  though  more  gigantic 
than  his  former  operations,  was  equally  unavailing, 
for  he  was  handsomely  repulsed,  losing  heavily,  after* 
which  he  withdrew  his  forces  within  his  own  entrench 
ments. 

On  the  17th,  one  hundred  and  eight  of  our  Regi- 
ment,  volunteered  to  assist  in  building  a  church,  in 
which  the  Brigade  might  hold  its  meetings,  and  wor 
ship  in  spirit  and  in  truth  the  "  Father  of  light,  from 
whom  cometh  down,  every  good  and  every  perfect 
gift,  with  whom  is  no  variableness,  neither  shadow  of 
turning.77  The  work  was  commenced  on  the  same 
day ;  the  men  were  regularly  detailed  to  assist  in  its 
erection.  The  members  of  Parker's  Battery,  occupy 
ing  a  redoubt  between  our  Regiment,  and  the  Fifteenth 
Virginia,  also  lent  their  assistance. 

The  guns  from  the  enemy's  land  batteries  on  the 
North  side,  kept  up  a  brisk  fire  for  about  two  hours, 
on  the  22d,  to  which  there  was  prompt  response  from 
our  gunboats  lying  in  the  stream;  the  result,  however, 
amounted  to  nothing. 

The  ranks  of  our  army  were  greatly  augmented  in 
consequence  of  an  order,  recalling  all  able-bodied  men 
on  detached  service,  back  to  their  regiments,  and, 
during  the  beautiful  weather  with  which  we  were 
favoured  in  October,  the  troops  having  regained  their 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         203 

former  buoyancy,  looked  forward  with  the  eagerness 
of  yore  to  an  encounter  with  the  enemy. 

When  the  church  was  completed,  it  was  at  once  put 
in  requisition  for  our  daily  prayer  meetings,  which 
were  usually  conducted  by  the  Chaplain  of  our  Regi 
ment,  Mr.  Baker ;  they  were  always  well  attended  by 
the  men.  A  spirit  of  grace  seemed  to  pervade  a 
greater  portion  of  the  army ;  numbers  came  forward, 
avowing  a  lively  hope  of  an  inheritance  in  that  better 
land  reserved  for  the  faithful  followers  of  Christ.  It 
was  truly  heart-thrilling  to  hear  the  songs  of  praise 
ascending  upon  the  twilight  air  from  that  band  of 
warriors,  ready  to  obey  the  first  summons  to  the  field 
of  battle,  where,  perhaps,  they  were  to  meet  death  at 
the  onset;  and,  while  the  heart  thus  thrilled  with  the 
melody  of  human  voices,  joy  unspeakable  was  born  of 
the  knowledge  that  many  in  those  ranks  were  doubly 
soldiers.  Those  who  had  enrolled  under  the  Heavenly 
banner,  resolved  to  "  fight  the  good  fight  of  faith," 
viewed  with  an  eye  of  calmness  the  approach  of  any 
ordeal  through  which  they  might  be  called  to  pass, 
trusting  in  the  Omnipotent  for  a  happy  result. 

Had  the  remainder  of  our  army  and  our  people  been 
equally  trustful  in  Him,  our  highest  anticipations  might 
have  been  fully  realized. 

On  the  27th,  General  Mahone  attacked  the  enemy 
on  our  right,  about  seven  miles  from  Petersburg ;  cap 
tured  400  prisoners,  3, stands  of  colors,  and  6  pieces  of 
artillery,  with  but  a  very  small  loss  on  our  side.  The 
enemy,  in  turn,  attacked  him,  when  three  of  their  lines 


204  HISTORY  OF  TEE 

were  broken ;  at  night  they  fell  back,  leaving  their 
wounded  and  upwards  of  250  dead  on  the  field.  We 
were  also  successful  in  the  battle  on  the  north  side, 
General  Fields  capturing  500  prisoners  and  7  stands  of 
colors. 

The  rations  issued  to  the  troops  on  the  Hewlett's 
Line,  at  this  time,  consisted  of  a  third  of  a  pound  of 
bacon,  one  pound  of  flour,  and  a  tablespoonfull  of  rice, 
per  diem. 

The  new  church  was  first  occupied  for  Division  ser 
vice  on  the  30th,  when  a  sermon  from  Rev.  Mr. 
Baker  was  listened  to  with  interest  by  a  large  assem 
blage  of  soldiers. 

The  Regiment  was,  at  this  time,  making  a  daily 
detail  of  forty  men  for  picket,  and,  at  night,  fifteen 
men  for  guard  duty  on  the  parapet ;  the  number  of  men 
present  for  duty  in  the  Regiment  did  not  exceed  250. 

On  the  night  of  the  30th,  General  Mahone,  with  a 
part  of  his  Division,  penetrated  the  enemy's  picket  line 
in  his  front,  and  captured  230  men  and  officers,  with 
out  losing  a  man. 

On  the  1st  of  November,  General  Lee,  in  person, 
accompanied  by  his  staff,  inspected  the  Hewlett's  Line. 

As  some  of  our  men  had  deserted  to  the  enemy, 
during  the  recent  trials  and  sufferings  in  the  trenches, 
General  Pickett  issued  an  order,  offering  20  days  fur 
lough  to  each  one  who  should  arrest  a  soldier  attempt 
ing  to  desert,  or  30  days  to  each  one  who  should  fire 
upon  and  thus  secure  the  body  of  a  deserter.  The 
adoption  of  this  method  was  productive,  beyond  doubt, 
of  beneficial  effects. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          205 

Everything  remained  unusally  quiet  on  the  Hew 
lett's  Line  during  the  first  half  of  the  month  of 
November;  the  daily  morning  and  evening  Prayer 
meetings  were  never  neglected  in  our  Eeginient ;  th  e 
men  employed  themselves  in  a  variety  of  ways,  when 
not  on  duty ;  game  abounded,  affording  sport  as  well 
as  luxury  to  our  huntsmen ;  snares  were  placed,  and 
many  a  rabbit  paid  the  forfeit  for  meddling  with  them. 
The  huts  were  well  attended  to  and  kept  in  the  state  of 
cleanliness,  so  in  conformity  with  gentlemanly  taste. 
The  position  was  somewhat  strengthened  by  a  second 
abatis  in  front. 

On  the  night  of  the  17th  November,  the  pickets  in 
front  of  Generals  Hunton's  and  Stewart's  Brigades, 
attacked  the  enemy's  pickets,  and  forced  them  back 
upon  their  reserves;  we  captured  one  hundred  and 
twenty  prisoners,  including  one  Colonel,  two  Captains,, 
and  two  Lieutenants.  In  front  of  General  Hunton's 
line,  our  pickets  were  only  about  fifty  yards  in  ad 
vance,  so  by  occupying  the  posts  vacated  by  the  enemy 
we  were  enabled  to  straighten  our  picket  line,  and 
while  so  doing,  place  it  at  a  greater  distance  from  our 
main  trenches.  Our  injuries  in  this  little  fight,  (mostly- 
to  General  Hunton's  Brigade,)  were  one  killed  and1 
nine  wounded. 

It  was  expected  by  the  troops  on  our  side,  that  the 
enemy  would  atttempt  to  re-capture  the  position  on 
the  following  night,  but  they  were  disappointed,  though 
not  disagreeably  so,  as  they  were  not  disturbed,  except 
by  occasional  picket  firing;  the  19th  was  not  so  quiet, 
18 


206  HISTORY  OF  TEE 

cannonading  and  picket  firing  continuing  throughout 
the  day. 

The  nights  of  the  20th,  21st,  and  22d,  were  very 
trying  upon  the  pickets  in  front ;  heavy  rains  filled 
the  rifle-pits,  and  as  the  enemy  kept  up  a  continual 
fire  from  videttes  stationed  at  the  various  points,  the 
troops  were  subjected  to  great  danger  from  inability 
to  screen  themselves  therefrom,  in  consequence  of  the 
water  in  the  ditches. 

It  was  ascertained  on  the  22d,  that  the  skirmish 
line  in  front  of  our  Regiment,  was  composed  entirely  of 
negro  troops ;  many  of  the  boys  were  in  favor  of  a 
charge  upon  them,  but  there  were  no  orders  to  that 
effect  and  the  negroes  remained. 

The  Regiment  received  orders  on  the  24th,  to  pre 
pare  two  days  rations,  and  to  keep  in  readiness  to 
move  at  a  moment's  notice,  which  was  obeyed,  but  the 
cause  which  prompted  this  was  probably  removed,  as 
we  heard  nothing  further  in  connection  with  it. 

A  negro  deserter  came  in  on  the  Hewlett's  Line,  on 
the  night  of  the  26th,  and  gave  quite  a  sad  account  of 
the  ill  treatment  received  by  those  of  his  complexion 
from  their  emancipation  champions.  During  the  latter 
part  of  the  month,  orders  were  received  for  us  to 
maintain  a  sharp  picket  fire  upon  the  negroes,  so  long 
as  they  remained  in  our  front,  whilst  our  batteries 
were  to  shell  them  at  intervals. 

The  continued  activity  and  frequent  conflicts  be 
tween  the  lines,  did  not  prevent  the  men  from  attend 
ing  daily  worship  in  their  comfortable  chapel.  The 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          207 

Rev.  Dr.  Stiles  spent  a  week  in  our  camps  and  preached 
daily  to  attentive  congregations.  The  spirit  was  moving 
in  the  midst  of  the  camp  fires  and  many  precious  souls 
were  brought  into  His  service. 

Several  engagements  had  taken  place  on  the  river, 
between  the  land  batteries  and  the  gunboats,  by  which 
very  little  was  accomplished  on  either  side,  except  a 
a  great  waste  of  powder  and  iron,  attended  with  un 
musical  sounds. 

The  negroes  were  withdrawn  from  in  front  of  the 
Hewlett's  Line,  in  the  early  part  of  December,  thus 
restoring  quiet  again  to  the  pickets. 

Several  demonstrations  were  made  on  the  10th  of 
December ;  one  of  which  was  by  General  Longstreet, 
on  the  North  side ;  he  moved  forward  his  troops,  and 
finding  only  a  line  of  pickets  in  his  front,  he  forced 
them  back  to  the  New  Market  road,  where  encounter 
ing  a  heavy  force  well  entrenched,  he  at  once  withdrew 
and  occupied  his  former  position  ;  the  purpose  of  the 
movement  having  been  to  ascertain  as  far  as  practic 
able,  the  enemy's  strength. 

Another  was  made  by  the  enemy  on  our  extreme 
right;  they  moved  in  a  large  body  in  direction  of 
Weldon.  Our  cavalry  pickets  on  the  Vaughn  road 
were  driven  in,  and  the  Federals  advanced  towards 
Dinwiddie  Court  House.  Our  cavalry,  reinforced  by 
infantry,  attacked  and  drove  them  back,  after  which, 
our  lines  were  re-established;  we  then  pursued  the 
enemy  into  their  own  intrenchments. 

On  the  12th,  Bishop  Johns  visited  our  Brigade,  and 


208  HISTORY  OF  TEE 

held  regular  service  in  the  new  chapel ;  sixteen  soldiers 
were  confirmed  by  him ;  he  had  performed  the  same 
rites  for  many  in  the  other  brigades  of  our  Division, 
but  a  few  days  previous ;  it  was  indeed  encouraging 
to  the  lovers  of  God,  thus  to  see  the  manifestations  of 
His  spirit  at  work  upon  the  hearts  of  their  comrades 
in  arms ;  men  who,  above  all  others,  needed  the  con 
soling  power  of  His  precious  promises,  as  unfolded  in 
the  Gospel. 

Chrjistmas  day  passed  very  quietly.  There  were 
neither  fine  dinners  nor  jovial  parties  to  be  found 
among  the  troops  on  the  Hewlett's  Line ;  some  apple- 
dumplings  were  enjoyed  in  camp,  and  several  invita 
tions  were  extended  by  the  Yanks  for  our  pickets  "  to 
step  over  and  drink  with  them,"  but  these  were 
declined. 

An  elegant  dinner  of  the  "  good  things  of  life  "  was 
received  by  our  Regiment,  on  the  29th,  from  the  citi 
zens  living  in  the  vicinity  of  Flat  Creek,  in  token  of 
their  appreciation  of  our  successes  in  defending  the 
bridges  near  that  point  in  May,  1864.  The  substan- 
tials  and  delicacies  were  alike  acceptable,  and  received 
unequivocal  attention  from  each  recipient,  as  the  fol 
lowing  announcement  will  show : 

[FROM  THE   RICHMOND  PAPERS.] 

"  The  following  is  nobly  conceived  and  beautifully  said  ;  and  it 
comes  from  a  regiment  that,  from  the  18th  of  July,  1861,  to  this 
day,  has  signalized  its  courage  on  as  many  battle-fields,  and  won 
as  proud  a  name,  as  any  that  marches  under  the  banners  of  our 
beloved  Confederacy. 

"We  take  much  pleasure  in  complying  with  the  request  to 
publish  it : 


SE  VENTEENTH  VIR  GIX1A  1NFANTR  Y.         209 

"  CAMP  SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY,  \ 
"January  1,  1865.  / 

«*  To  the  Citizens  of  Amelia  county,  Va.  : 

"With  much  gratitude  and  pleasure,  we  acknowledge  the  receipt 
of  your  liberal  donation  of  a  Christmas  dinner,  through  the  hands 
of  Rev.  Mr.  Littleton — a  donation  all  the  more  appreciated  from 
its  being  unexpected." 

"We  accept  it  as  a  spontaneous  overflow  of  kind  sympathy  for 
soldiers  unknown  to  you,  and  whose  only  claim  upon  your  notice 
was  a  simple  act  of  duty.  As  refugees,  we  appreciate  the  donation 
highly,  and  still  more  the  motive  that  prompted  it.  It  adds  another 
incentive  to  nerve  us  for  coming  trials  and  dangers  in  a  cause  so 
sacred  and  dear  to  us  all,  and  we  will  ever  look  back  upon  it  as  a 
pleasant  episode  in  our  history  as  a  Regiment." 

' '  May  a  kind  Providence  ever  protect  the  homes  and  hearth 
stones  of  such  friendly  and  sympathetic  hearts." 

"  We  send  you  our  greetings  for  the  New  Year:  May  it  be  a 
happy  and  prosperous  one,  and  may  you  ever  have  as  willing  hearts 
to  defend  you,  in  your  need,  as  beat  in  the  breasts  of  your  friends," 

"  THE  OFFICERS  AND  SOLDIERS  OF  THE 

"SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY." 

The  people  of  Richmond,  and  of  other  parts  of  the 
State,  attempted  to  raise,  by  contribution,  a  grand  New 
Year's  dinner  for  General  Lee's  army,  and  after  a  great 
flourish  of  trumpets  through  the  mouths  of  the  daily 
papers,  for  at  least  some  ten  days  previous  to  the  time — 
it  came. 

It  was  certainly  a  large  donation,  and  spoke  well  for 
the  generosity  of  its  donors,  but  there  was  bad  man 
agement  in  its  distribution ;  consequently,  great  waste. 
Our  Regiment  received  42  pounds  of  meat,  20  loaves 
of  bread,  and  1  peck  of  vegetables — a  quantity  insuf 
ficient  for  more  than  one  company,  hence,  the  different 
18* 


210  HISTORY  OF  TEE 

companies  concluded  to  draw  lots  for  it,  and  Co.  B  was 
the  winner. 

The  soldiers  in  the  trenches  having  heard  of  this 
prospective  feast,  as  a  natural  consequence,  had  their 
mouths  watering  in  anticipation ;  and  had  pictured  for 
their  own  special  enjoyment,  smoking  turkeys,  with 
gravy  sauce  and  stuffing,  mince  pies,  and  currant  tarts, 
while  some,  no  doubt,  had  visions  of  "  plum-pudding;" 
but,  alas  !  for  such  expectations !  they  toiled  on,  poor 
fellows !  without  realizing  any  nearer  enjoyment  of 
tempting  viands  than  was  afforded  by  their  daily 
rations. 

The  New  Year  opened  with  cold,  piercing  weather, 
and  the  ground  covered  with  snow ;  the  pickets  of  both 
armies  hugged  their  little  fires  closely,  and  there  was 
almost  quiet  along  the  lines.  The  frequent  shelling  at 
Petersburg  afforded  remunerative  employment  to  the 
soldiers  of  our  army,  who  gathered  in  many  a  dollar 
from  the  sale  of  shells,  (whole  or  in  pieces,)  bullets, 
and  balls.  They  were  disposed  of  to  their  Brigade 
Ordnance  Officer,  who  had  instructions  to  pay  a  stipu 
lated  amount,  per  pound,  for  all  that  should  be  deliv 
ered  to  him. 

On  the  night  of  the  4th  of  January,  1865,  after  a 
sojourn  of  nearly  seven  months  on  the  Hewlett's  Line, 
in  front  of  Bermuda  Hundreds,  orders  were  received 
for  our  Kegiment  to  move  out  from  the  trenches. 
About  9  o'clock,  Hunton's  Brigade  passed  down  and 
occupied  our  position ;  after  which,  our  Kegiment,  in 
company  with  the  Brigade,  marched  in  direction  of 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         211 

Chaffin's  Bluff.  The  night  was  intensely  cold ;  to  men 
who  had  been  seven  long  months  cooped  up,  it  was 
pleasure  indeed  to  be  at  liberty  to  stretch  their  limbs 
once  more  upon  a  march.  Arriving  at  the  river,  the 
pontoon  bridge  was  crossed,  and  our  destination,  (Fort 
Gilmer,  a  large  structure  situated  about  one  and  a  half 
miles  from  the  river,)  reached  about  half-past  t\Vo 
o'clock  in  the  morning.  The  brigade  on  duty  was 
relieved,  and  the  men  who  were  disengaged  turned  in 
to  sleep  in  the  tents  vacated  by  the  troops  recently 
quartered  there.  The  camp  was  miserably  constructed, 
rendering  the  change  from  the  pleasant  houses  on  the 
Hewlett's  Line  far  from  an  inviting  one.  Our  Regi 
ment  was  posted  on  the  left  of  the  Brigade,  and 
between  Forts,  Gilmer  and  Gregg. 

The  Federal  picket  line  was  about  half  a  mile  in 
front,  where  they  were  clearly  visible,  as  were  their 
fortifications,  about  400  yards  in  their  rear.  Fuel  was 
so  scarce  that  the  men  suffered  terribly  from  the  heavy 
rains,  being  unable  to  build  sufficient  fire  to  warm 
themselves.  The  rations  issued  to  us,  while  on  the 
North  side,  were  less  in  quantity  and  inferior  in  quality, 
especially  the  meal,  which,  at  times,  was  so  musty  as 
to  render  it  far  from  palatable.  But  the  men,  most  of 
whom  were  reared  in  affluence,  rarely  uttered  a  com 
plaint,  being  perfectly  aware  of  the  condition  to  which 
the  Commissary  Department  was  reduced  in  regard  to 
stores.  Our  camp,  too,  was  in  horrid  condition,  being 
over  shoe-top  in  mud  and  water. 

In  front  of  the  lines  on  the  North  side,  where  we 


212  BISTORT  OF  THE 

were  stationed,  torpedoes  had  been  placed,  which  were 
so  arranged  as  to  require  but  the  weight  of  seven 
pounds  to  cause  their  explosion ;  they  were  made  of 
thirty-two  pound  shells,  having  attached  to  them 
sensitive  primers,  which  when  stepped  upon  would 
produce  a  sudden  upheaval  of  the  earth,  from  which 
damage  was  likely  to  ensue  to  the  trespasser* 

The  Brigade  remained  in  this  position  until  the 
latter  part  of  February.  Many  of  our  men  were 
without  overcoats,  and  during  the  cold,  raw,  freezing 
nights  of  January  and  February,  picket  duty  was  no 
child's  play. 

Somewhere  about  the  20th  of  February,  the  Brigade 
was  withdrawn,  and  marched  back  to  its  old  position 
on  the  Hewlett's  Line }  really  glad  were  the  officers 
and  men  to  re-occupy  their  former  quarters. 

It  was  during  this  month  that  General  R.  E.  Lee, 
was  made  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  Armies  of  the 
Confederate  States,  and  the  appointment  was  hailed 
with  expressions  of  delight  by  every  soldier  in  his 
army.  But,  too  late  came  the  appointment,  and  as 
we  draw  near  to  the  closing  scenes  of  this  four  years 
struggle  through  which  the  army  of  Northern  Vir 
ginia  remained  unwavering  in  their  allegiance,  and 
prompt  in  the  performance  of  duty,  from  first  to  last, 
affectionate  admiration  for  this  great  military  Chief 
tain,  will  rise  pre-eminent  in  the  mind  of  the  Southern 
reader ;  the  mildew  of  time  will  never  mar  the  bright 
ness  of  his  escutcheon,  nor  blot  from  our  hearts  the 
cherished  image  of  our  Military  Father,  for  as  such 
we  must  ever  revere  him. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          21 3 

From  his  kind  indulgence  and  ever  watchful  care, 
for  the  welfare  of  his  men — from  his  every  act  which 
marks  him  "a  chevalier  sans  peur,  sans  reproche" 
arises  that  unquenchable  love  which  will  survive  in 
the  bosoms  of  remote  generations  and  quicken  into 
being  again  as  we  shall  gather  in  the  land  of  love, 
where  "  time  shall  be  no  more." 

The  following  is  a  partial  list  of  Casualities  in  our 
Regiment,  while  occupying  the  Hewlett's  Line : 

Private  W.  Fara,  Company  B,  wounded ;  Private 
H.  Garner,  Company  C,  killed ;  Privates  P.  Gooding 
and  G.  S.  Millan,  Company  D,  wounded;  Sergeant 
B.  F.  Fields  and  Private  John  Allison,  Company  E, 
wounded,  the  latter  mortally ;  and  Privates  A.  Harris 
and  J.  O.  Pernberton,  Company  K,  wounded.* 


214  HISTORY  OF  THE 


THE  LAST  MONTH'S  CAMPAIGN. 


dark  days  were  casting  their  mantle  around  us, 
-  as  the  month  of  March,  1865,  with  its  thawing  ice 
and  swollen  streams,  opened  its  first  dawn  upon  the 
Hewlett's  Line.  Despondency,  occasioned  by  late 
reverses  to  the  Confederate  arms,  was  leaving  its 
impress,  too  plainly  to  be  misunderstood,  and,  yet,  the 
men  of  our  Division  determined  to  stand  unfalteringly 
by  the  Confederacy  to  its  latest  breath,  be  the  result 
what  it  might. 

On  t}ie  4th  of  the  month,  orders  were  received  by 
the  Division  for  active  field  service,  and,  about  daylight 
on  the  following  morning,  General  Mahone's  Division 
arrived  ;  our  command  moved  to  the  rear  about  three- 
quarters  of  a  mile,  and  stacked  arms  in  a  large  field. 

Soon  after,  the  wagons  came  up,  and  three  days7 
rations  were  issued  ;  the  troops  were  then  moved  into 
a  piece  of  woods  near  the  turnpike  and  went  into  camp. 

On  the  morning  of  the  7th,  at  9  o'clock,  a  review  of 
the  Division  was  made  ;  this  exhibition  of  the  men  was 
a  fine  sight,  after  a  winter  of  trench  duty  ;  6,400  mus 
kets  were  in  line.  Soon  after,  Generals  Hunton's  and 
Stewart's  brigades  were  ordered  off,  and  took  the  road 
to  Richmond. 

The  residue  of  our  Division  remained  near  the  Hew 
lett's  Line,  until  the  night  of  the  9th,  when,  about  8 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  215 

o'clock,  it  inarched  to  Manchester,  arriving  there  about 
3  o'clock  in  the  morning,  after  a  muddy,  and,  conse 
quently,  a  heavy  march.  It  rained  all  night ;  about 
daylight  it  commenced  snowing,  and,  during  the  day, 
continued  to  rain,  snow,  and  hail,  rendering  the  camp 
anything  but  pleasant. 

The  Federal  raiders,  at  this  time,  were  making  havoc 
along  the  canal,  and  on  the  railroads  above  Richmond ; 
the  object  in  our  Division's  moving  was  to  counteract 
these  manoeuvres  as  much  as  possible,  and  render  such 
assistance  as  was  in  its  power  to  our  exhausted,  deci 
mated  cavalry.  Early  on  the  morning  of  the  12th,  the 
two  brigades  moved  across  Mayo's  bridge,  and  marched 
up  Main  street,  and  taking  the  Brooke  Turnpike,  moved 
onward  to  the  outer  line  of  defences,  where  they  formed 
in  line  of  battle,  anticipating  an  attack  from  a  body  of 
the  enemy's  cavalry,  near  the  city. 

The  alarm  bells  in  the  city  had  been  rung  the  pre 
ceding  night,  and  the  local  troops  were  out  in  strong 
force  to  help  repel  the  invasion .  A  brigade  of  Mahone's 
Division  also  arrived,  and  took  position  in  the  line. 
About  3  o'clock,  P.  M.,  our  Regiment  marched  down 
the  Military  road  to  the  Nine  Mile  road,  distant  about 
five  miles,  it  being  supposed  that  the  enemy's  infantry 
would  advance  from  that  direction  as  a  support  to  their 
cavalry. 

At  daylight  on  the  following  morning,  we  again 
changed  position,  and  marched  to  a  point  on  the 
"Works"  between  the  Meadow  Bridge  and  the 
Mechanicsville  road,  when  the  Regiment  was  posted 
at  different  points  on  the  line. 


216  HISTORY  OF  THE 

The  next  day,  (14th,)  the  Brigade  again  marched, 
followed  by  the  Division,  (Generals  Hunton's  and 
Stewart's  brigades  having  returned,)  taking  the  Brooke 
Turnpike.  General  Longstreet  was  in  command. 
After  dark,  the  Division  halted  about  twelve  miles  from 
Richmond,  and  formed  in  battle  array  on  the  crest  of  a 
hill  overlooking  Totopotamy  Creek.  Artillery  and 
cavalry  composed  a  part  of  the  command ;  the  object 
of  the  move  was  to  intercept  the  raiders. 

On  the  15th,  at  an  early  hour,  we  again  started,  the 
Fifteenth  and  Seventeenth  Virginia  Regiments  in 
advance,  deployed  as  skirmishers ;  after  marching  about 
one  and  a  half  miles,  the  skirmishers  of  the  Fifteenth 
came  upon  the  enemy,  when  some  little  firing  ensued, 
by  which  the  latter  were  easily  driven  back.  The  Fif 
teenth  had  one  man  killed  and  three  men  wounded. 
We  then  passed  on  in  direction  of  Ashland,  hoping  to 
overtake  the  main  body  of  our  foes,  but,  before  our  arri 
val,  it  had  taken  its  departure. 

The  following  morning,  we  moved  to  the  neighbor 
hood  of  Peake's  Station,  on  the  Virginia  Central  Rail 
road,  where  we  prepared  our  rations.  Taking  up  the 
march,  we  reached  Hanover  Court  House  the  same 
evening,  where  a  part  of  our  Regiment  was  left  to 
guard  the  pontoons,  which  had  just  arrived  from  Rich 
mond  for  the  purpose  of  bridging  the  Parnunkey. 
Several  days  after,  the  command  returned  to  the 
vicinity  of  Richmond,  and  encamped  on  the  Nine  Mile 
road.  On  the  21st,  a  review  of  our  troops  took  place 
at  the  Fairfield  Race  Course.  Everything  remained 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          217 

comparatively  quiet  an  all  the  lines,  until  the  morn 
ing  of  the  25th. 

Just  before  daylight,  the  skirmishers  in  front  of 
Generals  Gordon's  and  Johnson's  Divisions,  posted  in 
front  of  Petersburg,  and  embracing  Colquet's  Salient 
advanced,  capturing  the  enemy's  pickets,  without 
firing  a  gun ;  upwards  of  five  hundred  prisoners,  in 
cluding  one  Brigadier  General,  fell  into  our  hands ; 
afterwards  our  forces  drove  the  enemy  out  of  two  lines 
of  his  entrenchments,  and  took  possession  of  the  large 
fort  on  Hare's  hill,  known  as  Fort  Steadman,  contain 
ing  nine  guns  and  eight  mortars. 

The  Federals  were  taken  so  completely  by  surprise^ 
that  they  fell  back  in  great  confusion.  After  having 
these  lines  in  possession,  it  was  found  by  our  Generals- 
that  the  capture  of  the  strong  works  in  rear  of,  and 
commanding  their  main  line,  would  occasion  too  great  a 
loss  in  making  the  necessary  assault,  so  it  was  decided 
to  withdraw  the  troops  to  our  old  position. 

By  this  time,  our  antagonists  had  entirely  recovered 
from  their  surprise,  and  opened  a  terrific  fire  of  shot* 
canister  and  grape,  upon  our  troops  in  the  fort ;  for 
some  hours  the  battle  raged  furiously ;  our  men  hold 
ing  their  position  until  ordered  to  fall  back.  Many  on> 
our  side  were  killed  and  wounded ;  the  nature  of  the- 
ground  would  not  allow  the  removal  of  the  heavy 
guns,  which  in  consequence  were  spiked,  and  then* 
abandoned. 

Our  troops  had  never  fought  with  greater  gallantry,, 
but  the  overpowering  numbers  of  the  opposing  army 
19 


218  HIST  OR  Y  OF  THE 

proved  too  many  for  them,  in  their  enclosed  position. 
Our  Division  had  been  ordered  over,  but  on  reach 
ing  the  cars  in  Eichmond,  the  order  was  counter 
manded,  and  we  returned  to  our  camp  on  the  Nine 
Mile  road;  before  night,  however,  orders  again  ar 
rived,  when  we  took  possesion  of  the  cars,  were  carried 
to  the  vicinity  of  Swift  Creek,  and  encamped,  ready 
for  removal  to  any  point  where  we  could  render  as 
sistance  in  case  of  stringent  need. 

On  the  29th  of  March,  our  camp  near  Swift  Creek 
was  broken  up,  and  we  marched  to  the  Southside  Rail 
road,  about  one  mile  above  the  city  of  Petersburg, 
where  the  Division  was  being  rapidly  collected,  and 
sent  off  on  cars  awaiting  to  transport  it.  Just  before 
dark  our  Regiment  left  on  a  train,  and  arriving  at 
Southerland  Station,  disembarked,  and  marched  about 
two  miles,  where  we  laid  down  to  sleep  until  the  ar 
rival  of  the  residue  of  the  Division. 

Sheridan,  with  a  host  of  cavalry  and  infantry,  was 
at  this  time  moving  against  the  railroad,  where  sharp 
work  and  bloody  deeds  were  expected  by  the  troops 
under  General  Pickett. 

The  rain  fell  in  torrents  upon  the  weary  forms 
sleeping  in  silence  near  Southerland  Station;  about  two 
o'clock  the  following  morning,  we  were  aroused  from 
our  slumbers,  and  forming  into  line,  moved  off  in  the 
storm  as  rapidly  as  the  darkness  would  allow  us,  in 
direction  of  the  extreme  right  of  General  Lee's  lines. 
About  eight  o'clock  A.  M.,  after  a  wearisome  march, 
we  reached  our  destination,  and  formed  for  battle, 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  219 

just  outside  of  the  fortifications,  and  near  to  where 
General  Wise's  command  and  the  enemy  had  had  a 
severe  fight,  a  short  time  previous. 

Soon  after  halting,  Generals  Lee  and  Pendleton 
arrived;  from  their  movements,  it  was  inferred  by 
many  of  us,  that  preparation  for  a  great  battle  was  in 
progress. 

In  the  afternoon,  about  two  o'clock,  we  again  changed 
our  position;  we  marched  forward  in  direction  of 
Five  Forks,  but  had  not  advanced  more  than  two 
miles,  when  skirmishing  commenced  in  our  front; 
halting,  the  men  began  to  remove  the  fences  and  con 
vert  them  into  rude  rifle-pits,  or  breastworks ;  but 
before  this  was  accomplished,  the  firing  grew  heavier 
and  extended  to  the  left,  upon  which  we  were  ordered 
in  that  direction ;  ere  reaching  the  spot  whence  the 
sounds  of  fighting  proceeded,  they  ceased  altogether, 
and  we  learned  that  they  had  been  caused  by  the 
enemy's  cavalry  having  charged  our  troops,  who  opened 
fire  upon,  and  repulsed  them. 

During  the  firing,  some  ladies  and  children  were 
noticed  by  our  men  in  a  field  some  hundred  yards  or 
more  in  our  front,  running  about  in  great  alarm,  not 
knowing  what  to  do,  or  where  to  seek  refuge  from  the 
balls  whizzing  through  the  air.  Their  house  was  not 
far  distant  in  front,  and  they  had  deserted  it,  hoping 
to  find  shelter  elsewhere.  One  of  the  members  of 
Company  A,  of  our  Regiment,  called  the  attention  of 
General  Corse  to  the  state  of  affairs,  who  sent  a  courier 
to  tell  them  to  plunge  into  the  woods  on  their  right 


220  HISTORY  OF  THE 

and  come  into  our  lines,  which  was  soon  accomplished, 
and  they  were  thus  rescued  from  their  perilous  situa 
tion. 

After  the  firing  ceased,  the  command  moved  on  to 
Five  Forks,  where  General  Payne  and  his  cavalry  had 
been  skirmishing  with  the  enemy  during  the  day  ;  the 
firing  on  this  portion  of  the  line,  which  had  ceased  for 
some  hours,  was  again  renewed  upon  the  approach  of 
our  command,  but  the  enemy  were  soon  driven  back, 
when  we  passed  to  the  rear  a  short  distance,  formed 
in  line  of  battle,  stacked  arms,  and  remained  for  the 
night,  during  which  the  rain  poured  without  intermis 
sion,  and  continued  until  after  the  dawn  of  the  morning 
©f  the  31st  day  of  March. 

Early  upon  that  morning,  (March  31st,)  a  new  line 
of  skirmishers  was  formed,  but  in  an  hour  or  so  after, 
they  were  ordered  back  to  the  Regiment;  a  scouting 
party  sent  out  had  returned,  after  ascertaining  that  the 
Federal  forces  were  moving  in  direction  of  Dinwiddie 
Court  House.  We  immediately  marched  off  with  the 
Division,  upon  another  road  than  that  taken  by  the 
enemy,  for  the  purpose  of  intercepting  them,  and  soon 
after,  the  battle  of  Dinwiddie  Court  House,  opened 

After  a  short  march,  the  Regiment  reached  its 
destination,  and  found  that  the  cavalry  were  already 
engaged  with  the  enemy,  and  had  been  successful  in 
driving  them  back  beyond  a  stream,  near  thereto. 
Our  men  were  then  moved  across  the  stream,  a  line 
of  battle  formed,  and  skirmishers  thrown  forward, 
after  which,  they  advanced  rapidly  towards  the  enemy's 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         221 

position,  driving  in  his  pickets,  until  the  crest  of  a  hill 
was  reached,  distant  about  four  hundred  yards  from 
his  main  body ;  at  this  point,  our  skirmishers  halted 
and  awaited  the  arrival  of  our  Division,  which  was  ad 
vancing;  after  its  arrival,  a  line  was  formed  between  a 
fence  and  a  heavy  growth  of  young  pines. 

Whilst  we  were  getting  into  position  the  enemy 
charged,  driving  back  the  Thirty-second  Virginia 
Regiment,  which  was  on  our  right,  and  his  skirmishers 
bore  down  upon  our  flank  and  rear,  capturing  Capt. 
James  Steuart  and  some  few  men  on  the  extreme  right 
of  our  Regiment,  but  our  position  wras  held.  At  first 
the  men  were  slightly  confused,  but  immediately 
thereafter  rallied,  and  forced  the  enemy  back,  not 
however,  until  about  thirty-five  of  our  men  were 
killed  and  wounded,  and  some,  though  not  many,  taken 
prisoners. 

The  members  of  Company  A,  (Seventeenth  Vir 
ginia,)  with  other  companies  of  the  Division,  were 
then  detailed  to  act  as  skirmishers ;  they  moved  for 
ward,  and  after  passing  through  a  piece  of  woods  came 
in  sight  of  the  Federals,  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile 
distant,  beyond  an  open  field,  with  skirmishers  in 
front,  protected  behind  a  breastwork  of  rails.  As  our 
skirmishers  became  visible,  our  enemies  opened  upon 
them  with  artillery,  but  did  no  damage.  Up  to  this 
time,  our  Division  had  remained  in  the  woods,  but 
being  informed  of  the  existing  state  of  affairs  in  front, 
it  immediately  marched  forward,  while  the  skirmishers, 
were  ordered  to  continue  to  advance,  which  they  did 


222  HISTORY  OF  THB 

under  a  heavy  fire,  driving  those  of  the  Federals  in 
upon  their  main  body. 

Our  line  of  battle  now  appearing,  the  enemy  retired 
about  a  mile,  to  a  ridge  in  his  rear.  Night  now  closed 
in  upon  the  scene  ;  the  troops  halted,  were  ordered  to 
stack  arms,  and  to  sleep  near  them.  Company  A  was 
relieved  from  duty  in  front,  after  which,  the  members 
returned  to  the  battle  field  in  quest  of  their  wounded, 
five  of  whom  had  fallen  in  the  morning,  during  the 
advance.  After  midnight,  they  came  in  to  the  Regi 
ment,  having  conveyed  to  the  field  Hopital,  all  their 
wounded  except  one  man,  whom  they  did  not  succeed 
in  finding;  this  done,  they  gladly  laid  themselves 
down,  to  rest  from  the  exertions  of  the  day. 

Though  the  Federals  had  been  driven  several  miles 
in  this  battle,  the  injuries  inflicted  upon  them  was  but 
slight,  and  the  advantage  derived  by  ourselves  little 
more  than  nominal. 

The  Mowing  incident  transpired  a  very  short  while 
before  this  engagement,  and  is  worthy  a  place  upon 
our  record. — It  is  entitled : 

"  HOW  THE  CONFEDEKATES  MISSED  A  FEAST  AT 
DlNWIDDIE." 

On  the  morning  of  the  battle  of  Dinwiddie  Court 
House,  Sergeant  J.  P.  Jordan,  Company  H,  Seven 
teenth  Virginia,  Private  F.  Beach,  Company  D,  Seven 
teenth  Virginia  and  three  others,  members  of  the 
Brigade,  whose  names  we  have  been  unsuccessful 
in  recalling,  were  sent  by  General  Corse  in  direction 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         223 

of  the  enemy's  position,  with  instructions  to  capture 
one  of  the  pickets,  if  posible,  in  order  to  ascertain 
the  strength  and  location  of  the  army  to  which  he  be 
longed. 

The  party  proceeded  at  once  in  direction  of  the 
enemy,  taking  the  straight  road,  trusting  to  circum 
stances  and  sharp  eyes  to  show  them  the  Yankees 
whereabouts.  They  had  not  marched  far  when  a 
volley  advised  them  of  the  situation  of  the  Federals ; 
without  waiting,  they  plunged  into  the  dense  pines  on 
their  right,  and  making  a  detour  of  some  half  a  mile, 
struck  the  main  road  again,  this  time  in  rear  of  their 
foe. 

In  their  front,  and  extending  for  several  miles 
down  the  road,  appeared  a  large  wagon  train ;  a  glori 
ous  spectacle,  in  the  eyes  of  our  half  starved  Confeds, 
wras  this  same  train,  [no  doubt,  well  laden  with  pro 
visions. 

Our  hungry  Sergeant  immediately  detaching  one  of 
his  command,  sent  him,  by  a  circuitous  route  back 
again  to  the  Brigade,  with  a  message  to  Colonel  Her 
bert  :  "  To  bring,  if  possible,  the  Seventeenth  Virginia 
and  capture  the  train." 

The  party  then  "  treed,"  to  await  the  result.  Some 
time  elapsed;  and  no  signs  of  the  Eegiment  were 
forthcoming.  A  few  minutes  more,  and  a  mounted 
Federal  officer  appeared,  riding  directly  towards  them 
from  the  wagon  train.  To  prevent  an  alarm,  the  officer 
must  necessarily  be  captured — but  how  wras  this  to  be 
accomplished  ?  It  would  not  be  expedient  to  halt 


224  HISTORY  OF  THE 

him,  for  his  comrades  were  in  close  proximity  and 
would  hear  the  challenge. 

Without  giving  notice  to  his  companions,  a  plan  of 
capture  was  soon  matured  in  the  mind  of  the  quick 
witted  Sergeant ;  dropping  quietly  to  the  ground, 
followed  by  his  command,  the  quartette  faced  the 
enemy,  single  file,  and  marched  forward,  keeping  a 
large  oak  tree  between  themselves  and  the  officer. 

On  reaching  the  tree,  the  Quartermaster,  for  such 
he  proved  to  be,  was  politely  requested  to  continue 
his  ride,  in  which  he  was  escorted  by  two  of  the  party 
and  delivered  over  to  the  Brigade. 

But  one  man  now  remained  to  the  Sergeant;  yet, still 
hopeful  that  the  Regiment  would  come,  they  kept 
their  position.  Not  a  great  while  after,  a  party  of  the 
enemy,  having  missed  their  Captain,  entered  the  woods 
in  search  of  him,  when,  as  a  matter  in  course,  the 
Sergeant  and  his  command  were  compelled  to  fall 
quietly  back>  which  was  done  successfully;  they 
reached  the  Regiment  as  it  was  on  the  eve  of  moving 
out  to  the  battle-field. 

The  receipt  of  marching  orders  had  prevented  the 
Seventeenth  Virginia  from  capturing  that  train ;  the 
gallant  Colonel  Herbert  having  made  application  to 
General  Pickett,  for  permission  to  do  so. 

It  was  thus,  that  the  Yankees  saved  their  train,  and 
the  "  Rebels  "  missed  a  feast  at  their  expense. 

The  record  of  the  last  "  month's  campaign  "  is  fin 
ished  ;  but  the  heart-rending  trials  of  the  ten  days 
which  succeeded  would  beggar  the  descriptive  powers 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.        225 

of  the  most  gifted,  and  yet  the  half  would  remain 
untold. 

As  the  few  members  left  of  the  Seventeenth  Vir 
ginia  Regiment,  were  quietly  sleeping  during  the  last 
night  of  the  last  month,  visions  of  home  and  friends 
were  probably  adding  their  charms  to  the  refreshments 
of  slumber,  but  the  startling  dream  of  culminating 
events  haunted  them  not. 


226  HISTORY  OF  THE 


THE  CLOSING  SCENES. 

THOSE  of  the  Seventeenth  Virginia  Regiment, 
whom  we  had  left  in  temporary  repose  at  the 
close  of  the  preceding  chapter,  were  aroused  about 
daylight  on  the  morning  of  the  1st  day  of  April, 
1865,  with  orders  to  withdraw  from  the  vicinity  of 
Dinwiddie  Court  House  to  Five  Forks. 

The  forces  of  the  enemy  followed,  so  soon  as  they 
found  the  Confederates  were  falling  back,  and  were 
very  near  capturing  a  part  of  the  wounded  as  they 
arrived  within  a  few  yards  of  the  hospital,  when  the 
last  of  the  men  were  being  borne  away  upon  the  should 
ers  of  comrades. 

Upon  reaching  the  extreme  right  of  the  infantry 
line  of  our  army,  near  Five  Forks,  the  troops  halted, 
and  were  allowed  to  prepare  their  breakfast,  wrhich 
was  not  sufficiently  luxurious  to  necessitate  a  bill  of 
fare. 

About  an  hour  after,  the  Regiment  proceeded  to  a 
road,  along  which  it  formed  in  line  of  battle,  when 
they  went  promptly  to  work  to  throw  down  the  fenc 
ing,  and  convert  it  into  breastworks. 

The  artillery  was  also  brought  up  and  placed  in 
position;  scarcely  had  these  preparations  been  com^ 
pie  ted  when  the  cavalry  of  the  enemy  made  their 
appearance,  and  began  skirmishing  with  our  cavalry 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         227 

on  the  right.  The  artillery  opened  upon  and  forced 
them  to  retire,  but  they  soon  advanced  again,  when 
one  squadron  charged  to  within  about  two  hun 
dred  yards  of  our  position,  wheeled  and  disappeared 
in  the  woods. 

For  several  hours  thereafter  quiet  reigned,  except 
occasional  skirmishing  on  the  left.  Late  in  the  after 
noon  heavy  firing  commenced  on  the  left,  and  increased 
until  it  extended  along  the  entire  line,  except  in  front 
of  the  Seventeenth  Virginia,  Avhere  all  remained  un 
disturbed.  Although  it  was  noticed  that  the  firing 
extended  to  the  rear,  there  was  but  little  attention  paid 
to  it  at  this  time,  the  men  of  our  Regiment  being 
impressed  with  the  idea  that  our  line  continued  in 
that  direction,  and  consequently  that  all  was  right. 

Soon  after,  the  enemy  made  demonstrations  in  our 
front ;  a  battery  of  horse  artillery  and  two  regiments 
of  infantry  were  dispatched  to  the  left  to  reinforce  the 
troops  at  that  point ;  in  a  few  moments,  however,  the 
men  of  the  battery  returned,  reporting  that  just  as 
their  guns  were  placed  in  position,  the  enemy  had 
penetrated  and  captured  them. 

Affairs  were  now  assuming  a  startling  aspect,  espe 
cially  for  the  members  of  the  Seventeenth  Virginia, 
who  saw  no  resource  other  than  to  be  ever  on  the 
alert  ready  to  meet  the  emergency. 

Not  very  long  after  the  artillery  men  returned,  the  men 
of  those  regiments  which  had  been  driven  from  their 
position  on  the  left,  were  approaching  in  disorderly 
retreat  through  the  woods.  Our  Regiment  being 


228  HISTORY  OF  THE 

under  pressure  from  three  sides,  had  necessarily  to  fall 
back  on  the  Brigade ;  an  effort  was  made  to  rally  the 
fleeing  men,  and  form  in  position  at  right  angles  with 
the  line  of  works,  but  this  it  was  impossible  to-  accom 
plish,  as  the  retreating  column,  hotly  pressed  by  the 
enemy,  was  too  thoroughly  disorganized. 

Three  times  our  Regiment  rallied  and  fought  the 
enemy  with  the  tenacity  of  bull  dogs,  but  it  was  un 
availing  ;  a  handful  of  men  could  effect  nought  in  con 
flict  against  the  powerful  wing  of  an  army  gigantic  in 
numbers ;  most  unwillingly  this  knowledge  was  al 
lowed  entrance  into  the  minds  of  our  veterans,  but 
there  was  no  refuting  it ;  then  came  the  order  for  the 
men  to  take  care  of  themselves.  Thus  closed  the  bat 
tle  of  Five  Forks. 

It  was  just  at  this  time,  when  the  capture  of  the  en 
tire  force  engaged  was  almost  a  certainty,  that  Sergeant 
Ira  Deavers,  a  member  of  Co.  II,  tore  the  old  tattered 
"  Flag  "  of  our  Regiment  from  its  staff,  and  secreting 
it  in  his  bosom,  safely  retained  it,  notwithstanding  the 
perils  and  trials  consequent  upon  the  "blue  days"  that 
preceded  and  followed  the  surrender  of  our  army. 

The  color-guard  having  been  entirely  annihilated,  it 
was  the  gallant  Deavers  who  volunteered  to  take 
charge  of  the  flag ;  and  nobly  he  performed  it,  thus 
saving  us  the  mortification  of  having  it  fall  into  the.* 
hands  of  the  enemy.  It  is  to  this  day,  and  will  ever 
be,  valued  by  its  fortunate  possessors,  as  one  of  the 
most  precious  mementos  of  those  loved  comrades,  who, 
in  acting  "  well  their  part,"  poured  out  their  life's 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  229 

blood  in  its  defence,  recognizing  it  as  emblematic  of  a 
noble  part  of  our  national  escutcheon. 

After  the  close  of  the  war  it  was  divided,  and  each  • 
of  its  remaining  defenders  cherished  the  fragment  of 
plain  discolored  bunting  which  fell  to  his  lot,  with 
feelings  of  sad  affection,  which  language  is  inadequate 
to  describe.  But  to  Deavers  belongs  the  glory  of 
having  saved  it. 

The  enemy  had  possession  of  our  artillery,  and  we 
expected  every  moment  to  have  it  turned  upon  us,  but 
such  was  not  the  case ;  when  darkness  closed  upon  the 
frightful  scene  the  Confederates  were  moving  rapidly 
in  retreat  along  the  road. 

It  must  be  said  here  in  justice  to  the  cavalry,  that 
they  fought  valliantly  under  the  circumstances,  even 
more  so  than  the  infantry,  when  the  knowledge  of 
defeat  insinuated  itself  along  the  line. 

After  the  battle,  General  Pickett's  Division,  for  the 
first  time  since  it  had  been  organized,  was  much  de 
moralized  ;  the  men  were  scattered  everywhere  through 
the  country.  The  loss  in  General  Corse's  Brigade  is 
estimated  at  somewhere  near  forty  men;  from  the 
Division  there  were  a  great  many  missing. 

After  the  retreat,  many  of  the  command  struck  for 
the  railroad,  where  they  formed  again,  but  it  was  im 
possible  to  conjecture  how  many  were  absent.  About 
three  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  2d  of  April,  we 
moved  off  to  a  ferry  on  the  Appomatox,  where  we 
laid  down  to  rest,  and  slept  until  daylight.  Through 
out  the  night,  heavy  cannonading  was  progressing  in 
20 


230  HISTORY  OF  TEE 

the  direction  of  Petersburg,  but  we  at  the  ferry  could 
only  imagine  what  was  transpiring  at  that  point;  soon 
after  daylight,  General  Pickett  gave  orders  for  a 
march,  hoping  to  reach  Southerland  Station,  but  after 
advancing  about  one  mile,  wagons  and  some  of  the 
wounded  were  met,  when  the  news  of  the  evacuation 
of  the  lines  around  Petersburg,  then  in  progress,  was 
announced  for  the  first  time. 

The  enemy  having  broken  through  the  scant  line 
of  men  at  Burgess'  Mills,  four  miles  to  the  right  of 
the  city,  thus  cutting  us  off,  the  order  was  given  us  to 
return  to  the  ferry.  After  reaching  there,  an  attempt 
was  made  to  cross,  but  finding  the  stream  too  swift 
and  deep  to  ford,  and  as  the  boat  would  consume  too 
much  time  in  ferrying  all  over,  it  was  decided  to 
to  avail  ourselves  of  a  bridge  some  fifteen  miles  further 
up  the  stream. 

Before  leaving,  the  wounded  and  sick  were  sent 
over,  and  then  the  Division  moved  off;  Gen.  Corse's 
Brigade  acting  as  rear  guard.  As  the  enemy  in  squads 
of  various  dimensions  were  assiduously  scouring  the 
country,  it  became  necessary  for  the  command  to  move 
in  as  solid  a  body  as  possible ;  this  being  ordered,  the 
men  formed,  and  marched  in  heavy  column,  ready  for 
duty  should  an  attack  from  any  source  be  made  upon 
them.  We  were  without  anything  to  eat  and  nearly 
exhausted  from  heat,  hunger,  and  fatigue,  yet,  we 
marched  rapidly,  until  about  four  o'clock  P.  M.,  when 
we  halted  to  rest ;  in  about  half  an  hour  afterwards, 
greatly  to  the  surprise  of  all,  the  Division  wagon  train 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         231 

drove  up,  having  escaped  the  enemy  the  day  previous, 
when  the  line  was  broken. 

As  soon  as  they  arrived,  General  Corse's  Brigade 
was  ordered  forward  to  take  possession  of  the  bridge 
in  anticipation  of  the  coming  of  the  enemy's  cavalry, 
which  was  moving  in  that  direction  by  another  road. 
After  marching  until  late  at  night,  the  plan  was  again 
changed,  and  our  Brigade,  (General  Corse's,)  quartered 
in  a  pine  woods,  there  to  rest  from  the  toils  of  the  day 
and  to  find  in  sleep,  temporary  oblivion  to  the  heart- 
scathing  reality  of  our  situation. 

When  Monday  morning,  (3d  April,)  arrived  we  were 
aroused  for  the  march,  whereupon,  it  was  discovered 
that  nearly  all  the  wagon  trains  from  the  army  around 
Petersburg,  had  arrived  during  the  night,  by  which 
arrangement  the  Division  had  a  train  from  eight  to 
ten  miles  long  to  protect.  The  time  necessarily  con 
sumed  in  getting  it  into  motion  was  considerable, 
greater  than  one  unfamiliar  with  military  life  would 
imagine;  it  was  started  at  last,  however,  and  the 
troops  took  up  the  line  of  march  as  rear  guard. 

Xot  many  miles  had  been  traveled,  when  it  was 
noticed  that  our  cavalry  were  deploying  as  skirmishers 
on  the  right,  in  the  wood  ;  a  short  distance  further  on, 
we  fell  into  position  for  the  protection  of  the  wagons 
as  they  passed  over  Deep  Creek.  This  was  a  precau 
tionary  move;  as  the  enemy  was  near.  When  they 
had  passed  over  in  safety,  General  Hunton's  Brigade 
and  the  cavalry,  were  left  to  fight  the  Federals,  while 
the  other  portion  of  the  command,  hurried  quickly 


232  HISTORY  OF  THE 

forward  to  a  bridge  higher  up  the  stream,  which  the 
enemy  were  attempting  to  repair,  in  order  to  cross 
upon  it. 

Upon  our  arrival,  skirmishing  immediately  com 
menced  ;  notwithstanding,  a  detail  of  men  were  dis 
patched  to  burn  the  bridge,  but  owing  to  its  being 
wet,  they  succeeded  in  affecting  only  its  partial 
destruction.  "We  remained  at  this  point  during  the 
night,  being  in  readiness  to  repulse  any  assault  that 
might  be  made  upon  us. 

Early  the  following  morning,  another  detail  was 
sent  to  complete  the  annihilation  of  the  bridge,  while 
our  Regiment,  with  the  residue  of  the  troops,  moved 
about  five  miles  higher  up,  formed  in  line  of  battle 
and  constructed  a  breastwork  of  trees,  felled  by  us  for 
the  purpose. 

When  this  operation  was  nearly  accomplished,  firing 
commenced  on  the  right,  occasioned  by  the  cavalry  of 
the  enemy  charging  that  part  of  the  line,  and  being 
repulsed,  they  very  soon  after  withdrew. 

During  the  night,  at  this  point,  a  number  of  large, 
bright  fires  were  built  along  our  position,  after  which 
we  quietly  decamped,  taking  the  direction  of  Amelia 
Court  House. 

Soon  after  the  dawn  of  day  on  the  5th  of  April, 
our  Division,  with  its  long  wagon  train  in  charge, 
reached  the  Danville  Railroad,  about  three  miles  below 
Amelia  Court  House,  where,  for  a  good  length  of  time 
it  halted,  allowing  the  troops  with  their  cortege  of 
ladies,  children,  and  their  attendants,  in  every  con- 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         233 

ceivable  form  of  conveyance,  from  Richmond  and 
Petersburg,  to  pass  on.  Here,  and  for  the  first  time 
the  news  was  received  of  the  evacuation  of  Richmond, 
and  our  lines  in  that  vicinity.  It  had  occurred  during 
Sunday  night,  leaving  the  city  to  the  merciful  hands 
of  the  Federals,  who  entered,  and  occupied  it  on  Mon 
day  morning. 

The  column  again  moved  on,  passing  through 
Amelia  Court  House ;  but  in  consequence  of  the  road 
in  our  front  being  effectually  blockaded  by  the  wagon 
train  captured,  and  burned  by  the  enemy  that  morn 
ing,  thus  destroying  all  our  stores,  medical,  commis 
sary  and  ordnance,  we  were  compelled  to  select  another 
route,  and  proceeded,  with  General  Mahone's  Division 
in  advance. 

Not  long  after,  it  was  ascertained  that  the  enemy 
were  again  in  front  in  considerable  force,  consequently, 
they  had  to  be  whipped  off,  before  the  column  could 
proceed.  Marching  had  now  become  a  perilous  opera 
tion  ;  the  cavalry  of  the  enemy  were  numerous  on  all 
sides,  and  every  now  and  then,  would  dash  in  upon 
the  wagon  train,  capture,  burn,  and  be  off  before  our 
infantry  could  get  near  them,  then  occupy  the  roads 
in  front,  and  harrass  us  in  every  way  possible. 

The  troops  marched,  almost  exhausted  from  excessive 
fatigue  and  lack  of  food,  throughout  Wednesday  night, 
(the  5th,)  with  the  exception  of  about  one  hour,  in  a 
severe  rain  storm.  On  the  next  morning,  a  halt  for 
an  hour  was  allowed  in  which  to  rest  and  breakfast, 

20* 


I. 


234  HISTOR  T  OF  THE 

the  latter  consisting  of  parched  corn  and  coffee  for  some, 
whilst  many  had  not  a  mouthful  of  anything. 

The  suffering  of  every  one  was,  indeed,  great ;  men 
were  so  overcome  as  to  slumber  soundly  in  line,  and  as 
our  Regiment  passed  along,  numbers  of  the  army  were 
fast  asleep  in  the  fence  corners,  temporarily  indifferent 
to  whatever  might  be  transpiring.  From  the  time  our 
Regiment  left  the  neighborhood  of  Petersburg  on  the 
29th  of  March,  the  members  of  it  had  been  permitted 
but  one  entire  night's  rest ;  having  been  either  march 
ing  or  fighting,  and  had  lived  principally  on  parched 
corn  during  the  period. 

When  the  halt  and  breakfast  were  concluded,  the 
Division  again  marched,  moving  near  to  Sailor's  Creek, 
where  it  again  halted,  while  the  wagons  were  passing. 
We  had  not  been  long  at  a  stand-still,  when  skirmish 
ing  commenced  with  the  cavalry ;  a  force  of  infantry 
detailed  from  the  command  was  thrown  out  to  the 
front,  Company  A,  of  our  Regiment,  being  among  the 
number.  This  squad  of  skirmishers  had  not  been  long 
in  line,  some  few  hundred  yards  in  advance  of  the 
main  body  of  our  troops,  when  the  rattle  of  musketry 
arose  in  a  piece  of  woods  on  the  right,  through  which 
the  wagon  train  had  passed,  and  almost  immediately 
the  teamsters  and  stragglers  were  seen  rushing  there 
from  ;  the  enemy's  cavalry,  taking  advantage  of  a  gap 
in  the  column,  had  made  another  charge  upon  the  train, 
and  captured  a  number  of  pieces  of  artillery  that  were 
moving  in  line  with  the  wagons,  which  they  turned 
upon  our  skirmishers.  At  this  time  the  Division  was 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          235 

ordered  up,  and  very  quickly  it  drove  the  enemy  back, 
recapturing  two  of  the  guns ;  but  the  Federals  having 
received  reinforcements  of  infantry,  the  battle  became 
general  and  very  severe. 

The  divisions  of  Generals  Lee  and  Anderson  were 
then  brought  forward ;  the  booming  of  artillery,  and 
the  loud  rattle  of  musketry,  resounded  on  all  sides. 
One  shell  exploded  in  front  of  our  Regiment  and  killed 
the  first  sergeant  of  Company  A,  Addison  Sounders,  as 
gallant  a  soldier  as  ever  faced  the  enemy,  and  wounded 
several  others ;  Geo.  Pickett,  of  Company  F,  another 
fine  specimen  of  a  brave  man,  being  among  the 
number. 

Late  in  the  day,  the  enemy,  with  an  overpowering 
force,  broke  through  our  position  on  the  left,  and  get 
ting  into  the  rear,  opened  a  cross  fire  with  artillery. 
Heavy  masses  of  the  Federals  now  swept  down  the 
line,  disorganizing  and  capturing  a  large  number  of  the 
brigades,  very  few  of  which  came  out  in  organized 
bodies ;  those  that  effected  their  escape  did  so  under  a 
most  terrific  fire ;  many  fell,  and  from  necessity,  were 
left  to  the  mercy  of  the  victorious  enemy. 

The  battle  was  prolonged  until  night,  and  it  is  known 
as  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek.  During  the  day,  the 
wagons  traveled  off  to  the  High  Bridge,  and  many  of 
the  soldiers,  in  disorganized  bodies,  followed  in  their 
rear;  cavalry,  at  different  points,  dashed  into  the  train, 
damaging  it  considerably;  artillery  also  poured  shot 
and  shell  into  it  as  it  moved  off  hastily. 

Upon  reaching  the  bridge,  which  was  crowded  with 


236  HISTORY  OF  THE 

troops,  a  panic  was  raised,  which  would  have  resulted 
in  fatality  to  many  had  it  not  been  for  the  presence  of 
mind  and  exertions  of  a  portion  of  them. 

Sleeping  in  the  fence  corners,  old  cars,  wagons,  or 
whatever  afforded  shelter,  the  night  of  the  6th  of  April 
was  passed  by  the  scattered  troops  along  the  route 
between  the  High  Bridge  and  Farmville. 

Everything  on  the  succeeding  morning,  (the  7th,) 
was  in  utter  confusion  in  and  around  Farmville.  Car 
loads  of  flour  and  bacon  had  been  dispatched  from 
Lynchburg,  with  which  the  wagons,  as  they  passed, 
had  been  loaded  and  sent  on,  so  that  rations  could  be 
issued  to  the  starving  men  in  the  ranks,  then  arriving 
on  their  way  through.  None,  however,  were  issued,  to 
them,  so  it  was  decided  among  the  poor-fellows,  who 
were  very  hungry,  to  charge  the  commissary  stores  and 
help  themselves ;  this  was  done  in  gallant  style,  and 
many  a  one  went  on  his  way  rejoicing  in  the  trophy  of 
a  ham  or  a  haversack  of  bread. 

An  attempt  was  made  by  the  Federals  to  cross  the 
river,  near  Farmville,  later  in  the  day,  but  they  were 
beaten  back,  and  a  number  of  them  captured  by  the 
infantry  and  cavalry  bringing  up  the  rear. 

The  following  is  taken  from  the  diary  of  one  of  our 
Kegiment,  who,  with  another  of  his  company,  were  the 
only  two  who  escaped  from  the  Sailor's  Creek  battle. 
It  was  written  on  the  7th,  and  runs  thus : 

"During  the  past  ten  days  our  losses  have  been  very 
heavy,  and  we  are  now  sadly  straitened  for  food  and 
forage,  while  we  are  pressed  on  every  side  by  a  large 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  237 

army  that  is  abundantly  supplied  with  everything. 
Still,  I  am  willing  to  follow  as  long  as  '  Uncle  Bob ' 
leads.  I  only  hope  the  Yank's  may  not  get  him, 
whatever  befalls  the  rest  of  us." 

The  night  of  the  7th,  was  passed  by  a  large  portion 
of  our  command  near  the  New  Store,  Buckingham 
county,  and  the  march  resumed  the  next  day  at  an 
early  hour.  Flour  and  bacon,  in  small  quantities,  were 
issued  to  the  troops  on  that  Friday  night,  the  first  they 
had  received  since  the  previous  Sunday  evening;  a 
great  trouble  was  experienced  in  the  effort  to  find  suit 
able  means  to  bake  the  bread,  the  utensils  for  the  pur 
pose  having  been  thrown  away  some  days  previously. 

At  this  time  the  horses  and  mules  were  unfitted,  in 
most  instances,  for  the  draught  of  even  the  empty 
wagons,  and  numbers  of  them  sank  down  in  the  road 
and  died,  utterly  incapable  of  proceeding  another  step. 
Those  that  could  move  were  hitched  to  the  guns  to 
assist  in  dragging  them  a  little  further ;  the  wagons 
were  destroyed,  the  caissons  having  been  either  de 
stroyed  or  captured  prior  to  this  time. 

On  the  afternoon  of  the  8th,  a  halt  was  made  within 
about  two  miles  of  Appomatox  Court  House,  in  order 
to  rest  the  animals,  while  the  commissary  officers 
were  sent  out  to  forage  for  the  broken  down  teams. 
Up  to  a  late  hour  in  the  afternoon,  the  march  had  not 
been  molested  by  the  enemy,  but  just  before  dark 
ness  set  in,  they  dashed  into  the  artillery,  parked  near 
Concord  Station,  some  three  miles  from  the  Court 
House,  and  capturing  the  trains  laden  with  provisions 


238  SIS  TORY  OF  THE 

sent  from  Lynchburg  for  the  sustenance  of  the  army, 
set  fire  to,  and  destroyed  them. 

Our  troops  were  forced  back  and  their  guns  captured ; 
the  fighting  continued  until  after  night  commenced, 
the  Federals  gradually  gaining  ground,  until  our  line 
of  battle  was  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  the  Court 
House.  Quoting  from  the  before  mentioned  diary, 
we  are  told :  "  We  are  now  in  a  pretty  bad  fix  and  I 
cannot  imagine  how  '  Uncle  Bob '  is  to  get  out,  as 
the  Yanks  are  now  in  our  front  and  rear  and  a  column 
moving  up  from  Farmville  on  our  flanks." 

"Commissary  came  in  with  a  little  corn  and  beef; 
two  ears  of  the  former  and  about  a  pound  of  the  latter 
were  issued  to  each  man.  Went  to  a  farmhouse  and 
traded  my  neck-tie  for  a  piece  of  corn  bread." 

During  the  night,  the  trains  moved,  (such  as  could 
do  so,)  and  by  seven  o'clock  on  the  following  morning, 
( 9th,)  they  had  parked  on  the  side  of  the  hill,  about 
one  and  a  half  miles  from  the  C.  H. 

The  captured  prisoners  were  also  marched  up,  and 
placed  in  a  ravine  near  by.  The  day  had  now  arrived 
for  the  surrender  of  General  Lee's  army,  but  the 
troops  at  the  hour  mentioned  were  not  aware  of  it. 
They  thought  strange  of  the  movement ;  i.  e.,  parking 
so  early,  without  a  days  march ;  but  not  much  time 
elapsed  before  the  air  was  rife  with  the  rumor,  that 
our  soldier  life  was  rapidly  approaching  its  last  sad 
scenes. 

About  seven  o'clock,  (the  hour  mentioned,)  fighting 
along  the  lines  was  renewed,  and  continued  until  be- 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         239 

twcen  nine  and  ten  o'clock,  when  all  firing  ceased. 
The  cavalry  under  General  Fitz.  Lee's  command  made 
its  escape  through  a  gap  in  the  Federal  line,  but  this 
opening  was  soon  closed,  and  thus  all  channel  of  escape 
cut  off. 

We  were  now,  completely  surrounded  on  all  sides, 
and  not  long  after  nine  o'clock,  General  Ouster  of  the 
Federal  army,  entered  our  line,  under  flag  of  truce, 
and  proceeding  to  General  Longstreet's  headquarters, 
arranged  for  a  meeting  between  Generals  Lee  and 
Grant.  The  meeting  took  place  in  the  house  of  Mr. 
McLean,  where  terms  were  agreed  upon  for  the  sur 
render  of  General  Lee's  army. 

In  the  afternoon,  a  great  jubilee  took  place  among 
the  Federal  forces  present,  but  the  hearts  of  the  irre 
proachable  Lee  and  his  veterns,  were  bowed  with  that 
sorrow  whose  depth  neither  tongue  nor  pen  may 
describe. 

On  the  10th,  the  officers  busied  themselves  in  mak 
ing  out  property  returns,  having  wagons  parked,  guns 
stacked  and  other  necessary  arrangements  made.  On 
this  day,  rations  of  one  pound  of  beef  to  each  man, 
were  issued  by  the  United  States  authorities,  to  the 
Confederate  troops.  The  following  order  was  then 
issued,  and  the  hour  of  parting  drew  near. 

HEADQUARTERS  ARMY  NORTHERN  VIRGINIA,  \ 
April,  10th,  1865.     / 
General  Order  No.  9  : 

After  four  years  of  arduous  service,  marked  by  unsurpassed 
courage  and  fortitude,  the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  has  been 
compelled  to  yield  to  over- whelming  numbers  and  resources. 


240  BISTORT  OF  TEE 

I  need  not  tell  the  brave  survivors  of  so  many  hard  fought 
battles  who  have  remained  steadfast  to  the  last,  that  I  have  consented 
to  this  result  from  no  distrust  of  them.  But  feeling  that  valor  and 
devotion  could  accomplish  nothing  that  would  compensate  for 
the  loss  that  must  have  attended  the  continuance  of  the  contest, 
I  determined  to  avoid  the  useless  sacrifice  of  those  whose  past 
services  have  endeared  them  to  their  countrymen. 

By  the  terms  of  agreement,  officers  and  men  can  return  to  their 
homes  and  remain  until  exchanged.  You  will  take  with  you  the 
satisfaction  that  proceeds  from  a  consciousness  of  duty  faithfully 
performed,  and  I  earnestly  pray  that  a  merciful  God  will  extend 
to  you  his  blessing  and  protection. 

With  an  unceasing  admiration  of  your  constancy  and  devotion  to 
your  country,  and  a  grateful  remembrance  of  yeur  kind  and  gene 
rous  considerations  for  myself,  I  bid  you  all  an  affectionate  fare 
well. 

(Signed)  R.  E.   LEE,  General. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          241 


MEMENTOS. 


JOHN  Q.  MARK. 

The  lamented  John  Q.  Marr  was  a  whole-souled 
gentleman,  an  honorable,  upright  citizen,  and  a  good 
soldier.  He  was  born  on  the  27th  day  of  May,  1825, 
in  the  town  of  Warrenton,  Fauquier  County,  Ya. 

His  great-grandfather  left  France  at  the  time  of  the 
Revocation  of  the  Edict  of  Nantes,  and  was  among  the 
first  settlers  of  the  above-named  section  of  our  old 
State.  He  was  the  second  son  of  John  Marr,  whose 
labors  as  Commissioner  in  Chancery  in  the  Superior 
and  County  Courts,  and  in  other  offices  of  trust  con 
fided  to  him  by  his  neighbors  and  fellow-citizens,  are 
still  fresh  in  the  minds  of  many  now  surviving  him. 
His  mother,  (a  daughter  of  Dr.  Gustavus  B.  Horner, 
an  eminent  physician  in  his  day,)  still  survives,  at  the 
advanced  age  of  seventy-two  years. 

Marr  entered  the  Virginia  Military  Institute  in 
July,  1843,  as  a  cadet,  and  in  1846,  he  graduated  with 
the  second  distinguished  honor  of  his  class ;  as  a  mem 
ber  of  the  first  class,  he  was  one  of  the  cadet  captains. 

Immediately  after  graduating,  he  received  the  ap 
pointment  of  Assistant  Professor  of  Mathematics  and' 
Tactics  in  the  Institute,  and  filled  the  position  with 
great  credit,  until  called  home  by  the  death  of  his  father. 
21 


242  HISTORY  OF  TEE 

Though  young  Marr  held  a  post  of  preferment,  re 
ceived  heartfelt  praise  for  his  progress  in  science,  and 
was  flattered  with  the  hope  of  future  advancement  by 
the  teachers  of  the  Institute,  if  he  would  remain,  he 
still  saw  and  felt  that  duty  called  him  home  to  his 
widowed  mother  and  fatherless  sisters ;  banishing, 
therefore,  from  his  mind  these  bright  anticipations  of 
future  eminence,  he  obeyed  the  dictates  of  his  noble 
nature. 

By  extraordinary  exertion,  he  succeeded  in  placing 
his  mother  and  family  above  want.  The  first  tribute 
of  trust  conferred  upon  him  was  his  appointment  to 
the  position  vacated  by  the  death  of  his  father.  To 
this  he  also  added,  as  his  father  had  done,  the  gratuitous 
services  of  a  justice  of  the  peace. 

His  attainments  were  such  (having  studied,  but 
never  practised,  law)  that,  upon  the  death  of  the 
lamented  Hunton,  the  magistrates  of  the  county  ap 
pointed  him  the  presiding  justice  of  the  court.  This^ 
when  we  remember  his  youth  at  the  time,  must  be 
acknowledged  as  a  high  demonstration  of  respect  and 
trust,  called  forth  by  his  superior  intelligence  and 
dignity  of  deportment. 

The  next  token  of  confidence  was  from  the  people, 
who  elected  him  Sheriff  of  the  large  and  opulent  county 
of  Fauquier.  After  performing  its  arduous  and  re 
sponsible  duties  for  two  years,  a  full  term,  he  was  again 
unanimously  elected.  Upon  a  full,  calm  survey  of  its 
troubles  and  responsibilities,  he  declined  the  office ;  his 
past  ample  experience  in  its  anxieties  and  heart-harrow- 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          243 

ing  scenes  determined  him  to  forego  its  pecuniary  gains 
and  patronage  so  coveted  by  many. 

The  grandest  and  most  decisive  proof  of  the  estima 
tion  in  which  his  judgment  and  ability  to  serve  vvrere 
held,  was  clearly  manifested  in  1861,  when  an  election 
for  delegates  to  the  convention  was  held. 

The  following  extracts  from  his  response  to  calls 
made  upon  him  by  his  fellow-citizens,  to  permit  his 
name  to  be  used  as  a  candidate  for  the  convention,  will 
show  truly  his  position  in  regard  to  his  State  and  the 
welfare  of  her  vital  interests.  He  closes  his  address 
in  these  words : 

"If,  therefore,  you  think  proper  to  confide  such  great 
trust  to  my  judgment  and  discretion,  I  shall  be  grateful 
for  your  suffrages.  If,  on  the  contrary,  there  should 
be  other  gentlemen  before  you  in  connection  with  this 
trust,  on  whose  judgment,  discretion  and  patriotism 
you  would  feel  safer  to  rely,  vote  for  them — your  in 
terest  and  your  duty  demand  it. 

"  As  for  myself,  whether  in  a  representative  capacity, 
or  as  a  private  citizen,  my  fortunes  are  indissolubly 
connected  with  Virginia,  the  land  of  my  birth,  and  by 
whom  I  have  been  nurtured  with  more  than  a  parent's 
care,  and  on  whose  bosom  I  shall  repose  when  time, 
with  me,  shall  be  no  more.  'She  shall  know  no  peril 
but  that  it  shall  be  my  peril,  no  conflict  but  that  it  shall 
be  my  conflict,  and  there  is  no  abyss  of  ruin  to  which 
she  may  sink,  so  low,  but  that  I  shall  share  her  fall/  " 

It  is  needless  to  say,  that  John  Q.  Marr  received  the 
largest  vote  ever  polled  in  the  county,  and  was  made 
th^  representative  to  the  convention* 


244  BISTORT  OF  THE 

In  April,  1861,  Marr  entered  military  service  as 
captain  of  Virginia  volunteers.  It  appears  that  he  had 
"heard,  from  other  than  military  sources,  of  his  appoint 
ment  to  a  lieutenant  colonelcy  in  the  volunteer  forces, 
as  not  long  before  his  death  he  had  inquired  of  a  mem 
ber  of  his  family  whether  his  commission  had  reached 
home.  The  promotion  had  been  made,  but  by  some 
fatality  his  commission  had  miscarried  and  remained 
in  the  dead-letter  office  for  months  after  his  death.  It 
was  post-marked  "Richmond,  May  9, 1861,"  and  read 
as  follows : 

*'  The  Commonwealth  of  Virginia  to  John  Q.  Marr,  greeting : — 

"Know  you,  that  from  special  trust  and  confidence  reposed  in 
jour  fidelity,  courage  and  good  conduct,  our  Governor,  in  pursuance 
»f  the  authority  vested  in  him  by  an  Ordinance  of  the  Convention 
of  the  State  of  Virginia,  doth  commission  you  a  LIEUTENANT 
-COLONEL  in  the  active  volunteer  forces  of  the  State,  to  rank  as 
inch  from  the  second  day  of  May,  1861. 

"  In  testimony  whereof,  I  have  hereunto  signed  my  name  as 
Governor,  and  caused  the  Seal  of  the  Commonwealth  to 
be  affixed,  this  5th  day  of  May,  1861. 

(Signed)  "  JOHN  LETCHER." 

When  the  sad  news  of  his  death  reached  the  town 
of  Warren  ton,  the  hearts  of  old  and  young  were  bowed 
in  mourning.  The  Confederate  flag  was  lowered  to 
half-mast,  and  tokens  of  sorrow  for  the  fall  of  a  loved 
and  truly  great  man  were  visible  on  all  sides.  His 
remains  reached  Warrenton  on  Saturday  evening,  when 
they  were  met  and  escorted  into  the  town  by  the  Lee 
Guard  and  a  large  concourse  of  citizens.  On  the  fol 
lowing  day,  all  that  was  left  of  the  gallant  soldier,  was  de 
posited  in  the  cemetery  near,  beside  his  father  and  sister. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          245 


STEALING  A  GRAVE. 

While  encamped  near  Guinea's  Station,  on  the  Rich 
mond  and  Fredericksburg  Railroad,  during  the  winter 
of  1862,  quite  an  amusing  incident  occurred  between 
two  of  General  Hood's  regiments,  one  from  Arkansas 
and  the  other  from  Texas,  which  were  encamped  a 
short  distance  from  us,  near  Massaponax  Church.  It 
appears  that  the  Texas  regiment  was  detailed  to  go  on 
picket  duty,  just  below  Fredericksburg,  to  watch  the 
enemy  and  present  him  from  throwing  a  pontoon 
across  the  river.  While  engaged  on  this  duty,  the 
Arkansas  regiment  made  "a  raid"  on  the  deserted 
camp,  and  captured  nearly  all  the  cooking  utensils, 
(articles  then  very  scarce  and  much  in  demand.)  A 
short  time  afterwards  the  Arkansas  regiment  was  called 
on  to  perform  the  same  duty,  and,  while  absent,  the 
Texas  boys  paid  its  camp  a  visit,  recaptured  their 
cooking  utensils,  and  carried  off  almost  everything  they 
could  lay  their  hands  on.  The  Arkansas  boys,  seeing 
the  state  of  affairs  on  their  return,  determined  to  watch 
their  opportunity  for  revenge. 

About  ten  days  after  this,  one  of  the  Texas  regiment 
died,  and  a  party  of  his  comrades  started  out  to  prepare 
a  grave.  After  having  completed  their  sad  task,  they 
returned  to  camp  for  the  body.  In  the  meantime,  a 
small  party  from  the  Arkansas  regiment,  came  out  to 
perform  the  same  solemn  duty,  bearing  the  remains  of 
21* 


.246 


HISTORY  OF  THE 


-their  dead  comrade  with  them.  Finding  a  grave  al 
ready  dug,  they  quietly  buried  the  body  and  returned 
to  camp. 

The  Texas  party,  upon  their  return  to  the  grave, 
comprehended  the  situation  at  a  glance,  and  ever  after 
"yielded  the  palm"  for  stealing  to  the  Arkansas  boys. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         247 

LITTLE  LULY. 

(Written  by  LIEUT.  COL.  AVM.  MUNFORD  ) 


She  sits  in  her  chair  in  her  chamber, 

A  miniken,  moody  and  mild, 
And  old  people  seemed  to  be  puzzled, 

At  seeing  our  curious  child. 
She  rocks  to  the  hymns  she  is  humming1, 

And  gloomily  fixes  her  gaze 
On  figures  that  flash  in  the  firelight 

And  float  in  the  fanciful  blaze. 

To  birds  in  the  parlor  she  prattles, — 

The  painted  birds  up  on  the  wall, — 
And  spreads  for  them  daily  such  dainties 

As  berries  and  water  for  all ; 
Then  closing  the  door  very  gently, 

She  stops  at  the  key-hole  to  peep, 
She  says  they  are  eating  and  drinking — 

She  saw  them  so  once  in  her  sleep. 

She  lolls  on  the  floor  by  the  fender, 

And  gives  the  old  Lion  a  hug, 
The  old  Lion  woven  in  worsted 

That  lies  on  the  new  parlor  rug ; 
She  pats  him  and  calls  him  "  Old  Fellow,' 

And  tells  us  she  saw  him  on  guard, 
At  the 'gate  for  the  bug-a-booz  coming, 

One  night  when  'twas  snowing  so  hard. 

She  cuts  up  her  calico  pieces, 
And  sews  on  her  curious  things, 

And  working  her  whimsical  patterns, 
She  sits  by  the  seamstress  and  sings ; 

Her  babies  have  all  pretty  names  too, 


248  HISTORY  OF  THE 

She  dresses  them  up  every  day, 
And  each  has  its  place  and  its  plaything. 
And  each  n  particular  play. 

Now,  sometimes  she  gives  them  a  party, 

The  Chess  men  are  bid  to  the  "  Hall  "— 
The  Kings  and  the  Queens  and  the  Bishops 

Are  brought  to  the  Baby-house  Ball. 
The  Knight  never  goes  in  the  parlor, 

But  stands  on  the  outside,  of  course, 
The  ladies  expressing — says  Luly — 

Regret  that  he  can't  leave  his  horse. 

When  supper  comes  on  in  the  evening, 

She  works  with  a  farcical  zest, 
And  keeps  up  the  party  quite  gaily, 

By  talking  for  hostess  and  guest ; 
The  King  at  the  head  of  the  table, 

The  Queen  at  the  opposite  place, 
All  standing  in  stateliest  order, 

She  makes  the  Old  Bishop  say  grace. 

My  Luly  had  lost  a  young  playmate, 

The  last  of  a  lingering  race, 
We  carried  her  down  to  the  cedars, 

The  bosky  old  burial  place  ; 
She  clung  to  me  closer  that  evening, 

Said  :  "  Father,  when  Luly  shall  die. 
Don't  cover  her  up  in  the  grave  yard, 

To  keep  her  away  from  the  sky." 

I  told  her  the  grave  was  God's  garden, 

To  plant  out  His  prettiest  flowers, 
That  thence  they  are  moved  in  His  mercy 

To  bloom  in  His  beautiful  bowers — 
The  blossoms  He  buries  in  winter, 

And  covers  in  snow  from  the  cold, 
So  like  the  shroud  wrapped  around  Gary, 

The  sunlight  of  Spring  will  unfold, 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          249 

That  even  the  loveliest  lily 

That  lolls  on  the  laziest  wave, 
In  winter  time  buries  its  beauty 

And  blooms  again  blanched  in  the  grave 
A  smile  through  her  pretty  eyes  played  then, 

A  moment  forgetting  her  pain, 
The  tears  seemed  to  sparkle  with  gladness, 

Like  sunshine  when  streaming  through  rain. 

She  said  she  was  dreaming  so  sweetly 

Last  night  in  her  nice  little  bed, 
That  standing  on  clouds  in  the  starlight, 

The  Heavens  were  touching  her  head  ; 
That  then  came  the  dear  little  Gary, 

But  only  to  kiss  through  the  blue, 
As  oft  as  the  pane  in  the  window 

Your  Luly  plays  kissing  with  you. 

I  asked  her  "  how  Gary  had  entered  ?  " 

She  said  with  her  serious  air  : 
"  The  moon  I  suppose  did  just  open 

And  God  carried  Gary  through  there." 
Oh  !  Luly,  my  dear  little  angel, 

God  grant  that  we  both  may  be  blest, 
That  the  moon  which  has  opened  for  Gary, 

May  soon  roll  away  for  the  rest. 

I  thank  thee,  0  !  Father  in  Heaven  ! 

Because  from  the  prudent  and  wise 
Thou  hidest  those  things  thou  revealist 

To  babes,  with  their  Heavenly  guise  ! 
Him,  who  is  invisible,  seeing 

They  walk  in  the  glorious  light ; 
And  even  so  let  it  be  Father  ! 

For  so  it  seems  good  in  thy  sight. 


250  HISTORY  OF  THE 

"THE  WARRIOR'S  GRAVE." 


Sleeping,  sleeping  'neath  the  shadows 
Of  Virginia's  mountain  peaks — 

Where  the  "  Valley  "  streams  are  wending, 

Where  the  aged  oaks  are  bending, 
Sighing  'midst  the  tempest's  freaks — 

Rests  the  mortal  part  of  Jackson, 

Resting  'till  the  trumpet  speaks. 

Waiting,  waiting  for  the  summons 

Of  Jehovah's  final  call- 
Lies  this  mortal  dust  in  keeping. 
Loving  hearts  are  sadly  weeping 

O'er  a  country's  hero's  fall — 
Moaning  for  the  soldier,  Jackson, 
Loved  and  honored  by  us  all. 

Fragrant,  fragrant  o'er  the  grave-sod, 
Blooms  the  yellow-mountain  rose — 

With  the  robing  red-breast  singing, 

And  the  rippling  water  ringing 
Forth  its  echos  as  it  flows — 

Rests  the  mortal  part  of  Jackson, 

Resting  from  its  earthly  woes. 

Happy,  happy,  and  imortal 

Is  the  Christian's  soul  in  bliss — 

Sainted,  and  in  sweet  communion — 

Looking  for  the  last  reunion — 
Smiling  'neath  a  Saviour's  kiss, 

Dwells  the  lofty  part  of  Jackson, 

Goodness,  that  a  people  miss. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         251 


S.  W.  PRESTMAN. 

Capt.  S.  "W.  Prestman,  of  Company  I,  Seventeenth 
Virginia  Regiment,  who  was  wounded  at  the  battle  of 
Bull  Run,  July  18,  1861,  is  remembered  by  the  sur 
viving  members  of  that  band  of  soldiers  with  feelings 
of  fond  regard.  As  an  officer  and  social  companion, 
he  was  without  exception,  beloved  and  honored.  His 
untimely  end,  after  such  a  bright  and  goodly  record, 
will  not  be  out  of  place  in  the  annals  of  his  first  com 
mand. 

In  May,  1862,  he  was  ordered  to  report  to  General 
Beauregard  at  Corinth,  Mississippi,  and  served  with 
distinction  as  Engineer  in  the  Western  army.  Upon 
the  arrival  of  the  army  at  Chattanooga,  he  was  ap 
pointed  Chief  Engineer  of  General  Hardee's  Corps, 
and  as  such,  served  faithfully  during  the  Kentucky 
campaign.  Upon  the  return  of  the  army,  he  received 
the  appointment  of  Chief  Engineer  of  the  army  of 
Tennessee,  with  a  position  on  General  Bragg's  staff. 
He  afterwards  served  under  General  Johnston,  and 
ever  carried  with  him  a  knowledge  of  having  done  his 
duty  as  a  soldier. 

In  January,  1864,  his  health  gave  way,  and  upon 
application,  he  received  a  furlough  to  visit  his  native 
State  to  recruit  it.  £  Whilst  enroute  to  his  home,  and 
upon  arrival  near  Danville,  Ya.,  the  accident  which 
deprived  him  of  life,  occurred.  He  had  stepped  out 
of  the  cars  to  warm,  during  the  stoppage,  and  in 
crossing  the  track,  (the  engine  having  been  detached 


252  HISTORY  OF  THE 

for  water,)  he  slipped  and  fell ;  he  was  too  weak  to 
regain  his  feet  in  time,  and  the  engine  returning, 
struck  him,  killing  him  instantly. 

Colonel  Prestman  was  a  most  gallant  officer,  and  from 
his  conduct  in  the  many  battles  and  army  movements 
in  which  he  was  a  conspicuous  actor,  he  was  frequently 
mentioned,  with  well  deserved  praise,  in  official  reports. 

He  was  universally  beloved  by  all  who  came  in 
contact  with  him,  and  his  sudden  death,  when  so  near 
a  reunion  with  his  family  and  friends,  cast  a  deep 
gloom  over  the  hearts  of  many  who  served  with  him, 
both  in  the  Virginia  and  Western  armies. 


•    IN  MEMORIAM. 

DIED. — In  Washington  City,  on  Tuesday,  the  5th  day  of  October, 
1869,  of  Erysipelas,  MR.  JOHN  A.  DIVINE,  only  surviving  sou 
of  James  F.  and  H.  Elizabeth  Divine,  of  Leesburg,  aged  26 
years  and  five  days  : 

[FROM  THE  LEESBURG  MIRROR.] 

Death  of  John  A.  Divine. — Our  obituary  column 
this  morning  records  the  announcement  of  the  death 
of  John  A.  Divine.  Aware  that  after  death  the  obi 
tuary  column,  no  less  than  the  "  sculptured  urn  "  too 
often  records,  not  what  the  deceased  was,  but  "  what 
he  should  have  been,"  we  nevertheless  feel  that  justice 
demands  something  more  than  a  passing  notice  to  the 
memory  of  one  who  gave  the  morning  of  his  "  brief, 
brave  young  life/7  to  a  cause  whose  only  recognition 
of  his  services  is  now  found  in  the  enduring  sympathy 
of  its  friends. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          253 

But  a  few  short  weeks  ago,  the  subject  of  this  notice 
left  Leesburg  in  the  bloom  and  vigor  of  youthful  man 
hood — the  very  picture  of  health,  full  of  life,  and  en 
ergy  and  hope,  with  every  indication  of  many  long 
years  before  him.  To-day  his  body  rests  in  the  bosom 
of  mother  earth,  and  his  spirit  has  winged  its  flight  to 
the  God  who  gave  it — a  fearful  admonition  of  the  im 
mutability  of  that  solemn  decree,  that  "  in  the  midst 
of  life  we  are  in  death." 

Eight  years  ago,  when  the  dim  speck  of  war  was 
first  seen  upon  the  horizon,  though  a  mere  boy,  he  re 
turned  to  this  town,  the  home  of  his  childhood,  and 
joined  his  fortunes  with  those  of  his  kindred  and 
friends,  and  for  four  weary  years  struggled  with  and 
for  them  in  a  fruitless  effort  to  beat  back  the  dark 
wave  of  wrong  and  injustice  that  threatened  to  sub 
merge  them.  As  a  member  of  the  Loudoun  Guard, 
Seventeenth  Virginia  Eegiment,  he  participated  in  the 
first  battle  of  Manassas,  on  the  18th  of  July,  1861, 
and  the  records  of  his  Company  attest  that,  in  every 
march,  skirmish,  or  regular  fight,  in  which  that  gal 
lant  Regiment  bore  a  part,  either  on  the  soil  of  Vir 
ginia,  Maryland,  or  Pennsylvania,  John  A.  Divine 
followed  the  flag  of  the  Confederacy,  until  that  sym 
bol  of  his  early,  ardent  love  was  lowered  in  defeat 
upon  the  memorable  plains  of  Appomattox.  Quiet 
and  unobtrusive  in  his  manner,  but  animated  by  a  soul 
that  knew  no  fear  and  shrunk  from  no  danger — im 
pelled  by  a  conscientious  sense  of  duty — with  nothing 
to  contend  for  but  the  sacred  love  he  bore  his  mother, 
22 


254  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Virginia,  he  regarded  the  post  of  danger  the  post  of 
honor,  and  wherever  the  conflict  raged  fiercest  his 
manly  form  was  ever  seen.  Many  will  be  the  tears 
shed  o'er  his  memory,  that  one  so  generous,  so  genial, 
so  happy  in  his  disposition,  and  withal  so  brave  and 
so  esteemed  by  those  who  knew  him,  and  who  for  four 
years  had  faced  death  in  a  thousand  forms  without  a 
scar,  should  fall  so  suddenly  and  so  young. 

He  died  on  Tuesday  evening,  after  a  brief  but  ma 
lignant  illness,  of  only  six  day's  duration.  His  re 
mains  were  brought  to  this  town  on  Wednesday,  and 
deposited  in  the  M.  E.  Church,  South.  At  4  o'clock, 
a  brief  but  impressive  discourse  was  delivered  by  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Head,  after  which,  attended  by  Laurel  Di 
vision,  Sons  of  Temperance,  of  which  organization  he 
was  a  member,  and  an  unusually  large  concourse  of 
citizens,  his  body  was  borne  to  Union  Cemetery,  and 
as  the  sun  sank  to  rest  on  that  beautiful  October  even 
ing,  'mid  falling  leaves  and  withering  flowers,  all  that 
was  mortal  of  our  young  friend  was  consigned  to  his 
narrow  bed,  overcome  by  the  last  great  enemy  of  his 
race — Death. 

And  now,  while  the  flowers  of  Autumn,  placed  upon 
his  early  grave  by  the  hands  of  affection,  are  still 
green,  and  the  fresh  earth  yet  presses  lightly  upon  his 
bosom,  we  suggest  that  a  subscription  be  started  for 
the  purpose  of  erecting  o'er  his  grave  a  suitable  tomb, 
that  will  attest  the  gratitude  of  friends  and  mark  for 
all  time  the  last  resting  place  of  the  gallant  dead.  He 
has  given  his  body  to  the  worms,  and  his  spirit  to 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          255 

God — his  memory  alone  remains  with  the  living ;  let 
us  cherish  it  as  we  would  a  brother's.  Any  contribu 
tions  left  at  this  office  for  the  purpose  indicated,  will 
be  faithfully  applied. 

[FROM  THE  LEESBURG  WASHINGTONIAN.] 
Death  of  John  A.  Divine,  a  member  of  the  Seventeenth 
Virginia  Regiment. — The  intelligence  of  the  death  of 
this  young  man,  cut  down  in  the  very  dawn  of  man 
hood,  which  occurred  in  Washington,  on  Tuesday  last, 
will  be  received  with  painful  regret  by  all  his  old  com 
rades  in  arms,  and  by  a  large  circle  of  acquaintances. 
He  shared  the  fortunes  of  the  entire  war,  most  of  the 
time  as  Orderly  Sergeant  of  Company  C,  (known  as 
the  Loudoun  Guard,)  Seventeenth  Virginia  Regiment. 
Of  him  can  it  be  said,  that  the  name  of  a  truer,  braver 
and  more  constant  defender  of  the  cause  of  the  South, 
at  the  time  "  which  tried  men's  souls,"  cannot  be  found 
upon  the  muster  rolls  of  the  Confederate  Army. 

In  the  history  of  his  Regiment,  prepared  a  short 
time  before  the  close  of  the  war,  by  order  of  the  Di 
vision  Commander,  his  name  appears  as  having  par 
ticipated  in  every  battle,  fight,  skirmish  and  march  in 
which  his  Regiment  was  engaged — an  honor  of  which 
but  few  can  boast.  He  was  beloved  and  respected  by 
all  who  knew  him,  and  his  memory  will  be  long  cher 
ished  by  his  companions  and  associates. 

Peace  to  his  soul.     A  nobler  type  of  brave 
And  generous  manhood  ne'er  wore  the  grey. 

Though  Death  has  cast  him  in  the  dark,  c«ld  grave, 
His  life,  unstained,  shall  have  an  endless  day. 

AUTHOR. 


256  EISTORY  OF  THE 


LIEUT.  THOS.  Y.  FITZHUGH. 

Dear  Tom  Fitzhugh !  who  does  not  remember  him  ? 
The  life  of  the  "  Old  Dominions  "  when  in  Alexan 
dria  ;  of  the  companies  when  in  barracks  at  Manassas 
Junction ;  and  of  the  "  Old  Seventeenth "  when  at 
Manassas,  Centreville,  Fairfax  Court  House,  on  the 
Peninsula,  and  around  Richmond ;  always  bright  and 
amusing ;  in  battle,  brave  as  a  lion ;  on  the  march, 
cheerful ;  around  the  camp-fire,  irresistable. 

What  a  favorite  the  old  Sergeant  was  with  officers 
and  men !  and  what  a  gallant  Lieutenant  he  was  as  he 
"  went  in  "  with  the  "  Old  Dominions  "  at  Williams- 
burg  and  Seven  Pines ! 

We  will  all  ever  remember  dear  old  Tom,  with  his 
warm,  true  heart,  his  winning  smile,  and  droll  stories. 
His  was  an  earnest,  Christian  heart ;  his  soul  is,  we 
trust  and  believe,  with  Jesus;  and  many  were  the 
hearts  that  sorrowed,  and  still  sorrow,  over  the  Chris 
tian  warrior's  fall,  when  duty,  without  regard  to  dan 
ger,  called  him  to  the  defence  of  Richmond. 


SEVENTEENTH  V1ROINIA  INFANTRY.        257 


MUSTER   ROLL 

OF   THE 

SEVENTEENTH 


(Based  upon  the  Rolls  of  September,  1861.) 


FIELD  AND  STAFF. 

( Those  marked  thus :    *  distinguished  on  the  field  for  gallantry.) 

*M.  D.  Corse,  Colonel,  wounded  at  Second  Manassas,  Boons- 
boro',  and  Sharpsburg ;  made  Brigadier  General,  Novem 
ber,  1862;  wounded  at  Drury's  Bluff. 

*  William  Munford,  Lieutenant  Colonel,  with  the  Kegiment 
until  reorganization. 

*Geo.  W.  Brent,  Major,  assigned  to  duty  with  the  Army  of 
the  West,  March,  1862. 

*A.  J.  Humphreys,  Adjutant,  made  Captain  Company  A, 
April,  1862. 

*M.  M.  Lewis,  Surgeon,  Made  Medical  Director  of  Brigade. 

*H.  Snowden,  Assistant  Surgeon,  made  Surgeon  upon  the 
promotion  of  M.  M.  Lewis. 

Win.  B.  Richards,  Jr.,  Captain  and  Assistant  Quarter 
master,  made  Major  and  Assistant  Quartermaster,  and 
assigned  to  duty  at  Gordonsyille. 

Victor  M.  Brown,  Captain  and  Assistant  Commissary,  made 
Major  and  Assistant  Commissary  of  Brigade,  1862. 
22* 


258  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Rev.  John  L.  Johnston,  Chaplain,  served  with  Kegiment 

until  1862. 
*Jos.  F.  Francis,  Sergeant  Major,  killed  in  the  battle  of 

Seven  Pines. 
*Geo.  C.  Adie,  Quartermaster  Sergeant,  elected  Lieutenant 

Company  I,  April,  1862. 
Jas.    H.    Brown,    Commissary    Sergeant,    transferred    to 

Brigade  Commissary  Department,  1862. 


MEMBERS  OF  FIELD  AND  STAFF  AFTER 
SEPTEMBER  1,  1861. 

*Morton  Marye,  Colonel,  unfit  for  field  service  on  account 
of  wound  received  at  Second  Manassas;  transferred  to 
Invalid  Corps,  August,  1864. 

^Arthur  Herbert,  Colonel,  Acting  Colonel  of  Regiment 
until  date  of  commission,  August,  1864. 

*Morton  Marye,  Lieutenant  Colonel,  made  Colonel,  Nov 
ember,  1862  ;  lost  a  leg  at  Second  Manassas. 

*  Arthur  Herbert,  Lieutenant  Colonel,  made  Colonel,  August, 

1864;  wounded  at  Drury's  Bluff. 

*Grayson  Tyler,  Lieutenant  Colonel,  Acting  Major  of  Regi 
ment  from  May  to  August,  1864. 

*  Arthur  Herbert,  Major,  wounded  at  Seven  Pines;  made 

Lieutenant  Colonel,  November,  1862. 
*R.  H.  Simpson,  Major,  severely  wounded  at  Drury's  Bluff; 

died  from  effects  of  wound,  in  Richmond,  June  9,  1864. 
*J.  H.  Bryant,  Adjutant,  appointed  Captain  and  Aide-de- 

Camp   to  Brigadier   General  Corse,   November,    1862; 

wounded  at  Boonsboro'. 
*W.  W.  Zimmerman,  Adjutant,  served  with  distinction  till 

close  of  war. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         259 

*H.  Snowden,  Surgeon,  elected  to  House  of  Delegates ;  as 
signed  to  Examination  Board,  1864. 

J.  W.  Leftwich,  Assistant  Surgeon,  made  Surgeon,  vice 
H.  Snowden. 

J.  W.  Leftwich,  Surgeon,  served  with  Regiment  till  close 
of  war. 

Dr. Boswell,  Assistant  Surgeon,  transferred  to  Artillery. 

R.  H.  Turner,  Captain  and  Assistant  Quartermaster,  made 
Major  and  Assistant  Quartermaster  of  Brigade,  January, 
1863. 

C.  W.  Green,  Captain  and  Assistant  Quartermaster,  served 
until  transferred  to  Artillery  by  General  Orders  No.  — , 
1864. 

H.  B.  Taliaferro,  Captain  and  Assistant  Commissary,  as 
signed  to  duty  with  Brigade,  1864. 

Rev.  G.  H.  Norton,  Chaplain,  served  faithfully  with  Regi 
ment  till  August,  1862. 

Rev.  Baker,  Chaplain,  served  faithfully  with  Regi 
ment  till . 

*T.  G.  Hart,  Sergeant  Major,  badly  wounded  at  Drury's 
Bluff;  died  from  effects  of  wound. 

*D.  A.  Marks,  Sergeant  Major,  wounded  at  William sbur g ; 
served  till  close  of  the  war. 

C.  J.  Wise,  Quartermaster  Sergeant,  served  throughout  the 
war. 

T.  L.  Chase,  Commissary  Sergeant,  served  throughout  the 
war. 

F.  M.  Henderson,  Ordnance  Sergeant,  made  Brigade  Ord 
nance  Officer,  November,  1862. 

Geo.  Wise,  Ordnance  Sergeant,  assigned  to  Company  G, 
First  Regiment  Engineer  Troops,  November,  1863. 

E.  C.  King,  Ordnance  Sergeant,  served  with  Regiment  till 
close  of  the  war. 


260  HISTORY  OF  THE 

COMPANY  A. 

("ALEXANDRIA  RIFLEMEN.") 

*Morton  Marye,  Captain,  elected  Lieutenant  Colonel,  April, 
1862. 

*A.  J.  Humphries,  First  Lieutenant,  Adjutant  of  Regiment 
till  reorganization ;  then  made  Captain  Company  A ; 
killed  at  Williamsburg. 

*W.  W.  Smith,  Second  Lieutenant,  made  First  Lieutenant 
Company  A,  April,  1862;  wounded  at  Frazier's  Farm; 
captured  at  Manassas  Gap  and  held  prisoner  till  close  of 
the  war. 

*P.  B.  Hooe,  Second  Lieutenant,  declined  re-election  on 
account  of  ill  health ;  afterwards  made  Captain  and  Ac 
ting  Adjutant  General  to  Brigadier  General  Corse. 

C.  J.  Wise,  First  Sergeant,  appointed  Quartermaster  Ser 
geant  17th  Virginia,  April,  1862. 

*John  Addison,  Second  Sergeant,  elected  Second  Lieutenant 
Company  A,  April,  1862;  wounded  at  Williamsburg  and 
Second  Manassas. 

*Thomas  Perry,  Third  Sergeant,  elected  Second  Lieutenant 
Company  A,  April,  1862;  with  Regiment  in  fourteen 
battles. 

C.  W.  Green,  Fourth  Sergeant,  made  First  Sergeant  Com 
pany  A,  April,  1862;  Second  Lieutenant  in  May,  1862; 
Captain  and  Assistant  Quartermaster,  January,  1863. 

*Addison  Saunders,  First  Corporal,  made  Second  Sergeant, 
April,  1862;  First  Sergeant,  May,  1862;  killed  at  Sailor's 
Creek  by  a  shell. 

*W.  E.  H.  Clagett,  Second  Corporal,  made  Third  Sergeant, 
April,  1862;  Second  Sergeant,  May,  1862;  severely 
wounded  at  Seven  Pines. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         261 

Wm.  Murray,  Third  Corporal,  made  Fourth  Sergeant,  April, 

1862  ;  discharged,  1862  ;  over  age. 
*"Wm.  E.  Gray,  Fourth  Corporal,  made  First  Lieutenant 

Company  G,  April,  1862;  killed  at  Seven  Pines. 

Privates. 

Adam,  John  G.,  transferred  to  Second  Virginia  Cavalry, 
November,  1862. 

Addison,  W.  D.,  with  Company  A  until  close  of  the  war ; 
wounded  at  Dinwiddie  Court  House. 

Avery,  B.  W.,  wounded  at  Seven  Pines;  detached  at  Gen 
eral  Pickett's  Headquarters,  November,  1862. 

Ashby,  W.  W. 

*  Addison,  John  F.,  elected  Second  Lieutenant  Company  G, 

April,  1862;  killed  at  Williamsburg. 

*  Abbott,  Frank  H.,  Killed  at  Williamsburg. 

Adams,  Francis,  transferred  to  Maryland  Line,  May,  1862. 
Burke,  Jourdan  M.f  detached  with  Signal  Corps,  June, 

1862. 
Bryant,  John  Y.  Jr.,  discharged  on  account  of  ill  health, 

May,  1862. 
Crockford,  W.  H. ,  transferred  to  Twelfth  Virginia  Infantry, 

January,  1863. 
Carter,  Meriwether,  discharged  on  account  of  ill  health,  in 

winter,  1861. 
Chage,  T.  L.,  wounded  at  Frazier's  Farm ;  made  Commissary 

Sergeant  of  Regiment,  July,  1863. 
Cawood,  Chas.  H.,  made  Sergeant  in  Signal  Corps,  June, 

1862. 

Cadle,  James  K,  transferred  to  Maryland  Line,  May,  1862. 
Dyer,  F.  Baker,  discharged  on  account  of  ill  health. 
Douglass,  Thos.  U.,  transferred  to  Second  Virginia^Cavalry 

in  fall  of  1861. 


262  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Davidson,  Francis  J.,  discharged  on  account  of  ill  health. 

Dunn,  John  W.,  transferred  to  Second  Virginia  Cavalry, 
in  fall,  1861. 

Fairfax,  A.  C.,  severely  wounded  at  Seven  Pines. 

Foard,  E.  Norval,  discharged  on  account  of  ill  health,  in 
winter,  1861. 

Grady,  Frank  T.,  discharged  on  account  of  ill  health. 

Gwinn,  Thos.  T.,  transferred  to  Triplet's  Battery. 

Gunnel,  Henry  L.,  made  a  Lieutenant  in  First  Virginia 
Battalion,  October,  1864. 

Green,  Rob't  H.,  died  of  disease  in  Charlottesville,  June, 
1862. 

Gwinn,  Geo.  E.,  transferred  to  Maryland  Line,  May,  1862. 

Hunt,  Albert  L.,  on  detached  service;  in  January,  1864, 
made  Captain  and  Assistant  Commissary  of  Fifth  Virginia 
Cavalry. 

*Hite,  Hugh  S.,  killed  at  Williamsburg ;  a  good  soldier. 

*Hite,  Kidder  M.,  made  First  Corporal  Company  A,  Janu 
ary,  1864. 

Hicks,  Geo.  L.,  discharged  on  account  of  lameness. 

Harmon,  William,  discharged — being  a  Mary  lander — and 
entered  Tenth  Virginia  Cavalry. 

Hartley,  Ephraim  W.,  died  of  disease  at  Staunton,  July  22, 

1862. 

*Hunter,  Alexander,  wounded  at  Second  Manassas ;  trans 
ferred  to  Fourth  Virginia  Cavalry,  July,  1863. 
Hyde,  Reginald  F.,  transferred  to  First  Regiment  Engineer 

Troopa. 

Hutchison,  Ludwell  L.,  on  detached  service  with  Signal 
Corps  ;  killed  at  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  May,  1864. 
Hoxton,  William  W.,  transferred  to  Stewart's  Horse  Artil 
lery,  1861,  and  made  a  Lieutenant. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         263 

Harmon,  Chas.  P.,  discharged — being  a  Marylander — and 

joined  Imboden's  Cavalry. 
Jamieson,  Geo.  W.,  discharged  on  account  of  ill  health, 

fall,  1861. 
*Johnson,  Rob't  C.,  wounded  at  Williamsburg ;  killed  at 

Frazier's  Farm. 
Jackson,  And.  J.,  discharged  in  summer,  1862;  entered 

Quartermaster's  Department. 
Kelley,  E.  F.,  on  detached  service  during  the  war  with 

Medical  Department. 

Lambert,  B.  F.,  on  detached  service  in  Commissary  Depart 
ment. 

*Lee,  Daniel  M.,  killed  in  the  charge  at  Frazier's  Farm. 
Mills,    John,   discharged — being    a   Marylander — in    May, 

1862. 

Mason,  John  S.,  wounded  at  Second  Manassas;  made  Lieu 
tenant  in  Signal  Corps  in  fall,  1862. 
Mason,  Landon  R.,  discharged  on  account  ill-health. 
Marshall,  E.   C.,   Jr.,  transferred   to  Stribling's  Battery, 

July,  1862. 

McVeigh,  James  H.  Jr.,  made  Sergeant  Company  A,  May, 
1862;    wounded  badly  at  Williamsburg ;   transferred  to 
Fourth  Virginia  cavalry,  May,  1863. 
*Morrill,  Wm.  T.,  made  Color  Sergeant  of  Regiment ;  killed 

at  Seven  Pines. 
Milburn,  W.  C.,   on  detached  service  during  the  war  with 

Medical  Department. 

Murray,  Jesse,  with  his  Company  until  close  of  war. 
Marye,  Charles  B.,  transferred  to  Braxton's  Battery,  1862. 
*McMurran,  Samuel,  in  thirteen  battles  with  his  Company; 

wounded  at  Drury's  Bluff;  killed  at  Sailor's  creek. 
McKnight,  C.  H.,  badly  wounded  at  Williamsburg;  right 
arm  amputated. 


264  BISTORT  OF  THE 

Mason,  J.  T.,  made  midshipman,  1861. 

*Malone,   Edward,   made  Lieutenant  in  Third   Kegiment 

Engineer  Troops,  April,  1864. 

*Perry,  William,  in  seventeen  battles  with  his  Company ; 
made  Corporal,  April,  1862 ;  wounded  at  second  Man- 
assas;  made  Sergeant,  January,  1864;  present  at  sur 
render. 

Potter,  George  F. 

*Partlow,  Theodore  A.,  struck  by  a  grape  shot  and  three 
bullets  at  battle  of  Frazier's  Farm,  and  died  the  follow 
ing  day. 

Paul,  Wm.  J.,  wounded  at  Sharpsburg  ;  transferred  to 
Cavalry,  1862. 

*Paul,  Samuel  B.,  made  Sergeant,  April,  1862;  wounded 
at  Williamsburg ;  made  Lieutenant  Company  G,  Nov. 
1863  ;  killed  at  Dinwiddie  Court  House. 

Powell,  R.  C.,  made  Assistant  Surgeon  in  Navy  Depart 
ment,  October,  1862. 

Powell,  Alfred  H.,  transferred  to  Sixth  Virginia  Cavalry, 
fall,  1861. 

Price,  Mark  L.,  with  his  Company  until  close  of  war; 
wounded  at  Seven  Pines. 

Purcell,  Wm.  F.,  discharged  May,  1862,  being  a  Mary- 
lander. 

Robinson,  R.  H.  P.,  discharged  on  account  ill-health. 

Slater,  Joseph,  discharged  on  account  of  injured  foot,  1862. 

Sangster,  J.  H.  L.,  made  Corporal  Company  A,  August, 
1862  ;  mortally  wounded  at  second  Manassas. 

Sully,  Robert  M.,  on  detached  service  with  Engineer  Corps  ; 
made  a  Lieutenant  therein. 

*Stickley,  James,  made  Corporal  Company  A,  April,  1862; 
Sergeant,  May,  1862. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         265 

*Swann,    John  N.,    mortally   wounded  at  Williamsburg ; 

died  at  Fortress  Monroe. 
Smith,   Charles  A.,   with  his  Company  during  the  war; 

wounded  at  second  Manassas. 

Savage,  John  H.,  transferred  to  Maryland  Line,  May,  1862. 
Thompson,  John  E.,  transferred  to  Maryland  Line,  May, 

1862. 
Taliaferro,  Ed.  T.,  wounded  at  Williamsburg ;  discharged, 

winter,  1862. 
Thomas,  Joshua,  on  detached  service  at  Headquarters  Army 

Northern  Virginia. 
Turner,  Thomas  B.,  wounded  at  Williamsburg ;  transferred 

to  Scott's  P.  Bangers,  August,  1862 ;  made  a  Lieutenant 

thereof;  killed  in  a  skirmish. 
Taliaferro,   H.  B.,  detached   in  Commissary   Department 

until  made  Captain  and  Assistant  Commissary,  December, 

1863. 

Warfield,  Abel  D.,  discharged;  over  age;  fall  1861 ;  after 
wards  Foragemaster  for  La.  Brigade. 
Wright,  Wm.  D.,  transferred  to  Second  Virginia  Cavalry, 

fall,  1861. 
White,  Thomas  M.,  on  detached  service  at  Headquarters 

Army  Northern  Virginia. 
Wise,  Edwin  N.,  on  detached  service  with  Engineer  Corps; 

made  First  Lieutenant  Engineers,  and  assigned  to  First 

Regiment  Engineer  Troops. 
Withers,  Littleton,  detached  with  Medical  Department  on 

account  of  bad  health. 
*Zimmerman,  John  B.,  in  thirteen  battles;  with  his  Company 

during  the  war. 


23 


266  BISTORT  OF  TEE 

NAMES  OF  MEN  WHO  JOINED  COMPANY 
A,  AFTER  SEPTEMBER  1st,  1861. 

Ashby,  Vernon  W.,  wounded  at  Frazier's  Farm;  trans 
ferred  to  Cavalry,  1862. 

*Bryant,  J.  Herbert,  appointed  Adjutant  Seventeenth  Vir 
ginia,  April,  1862  ;  badly  wounded  at  Boonsboro' ;  made 
A.  D.  C.  to  General  Corse,  November,  1862. 

Buford,  P.  S.,  detached  with  Pioneer  Corps  till  October, 
1864. 

Bowers,  D.,  exchanged  to  Twenty-ninth  Virginia  for  Sain'l 
Loggans. 

Cary,  Clarence,  made  midshipman  C.  S.  Navy,  1861. 

Chase,  J.  E.,  on  detached  service  as  Division  Dentist. 

Eaches,  H.  B.,  severely  wounded  at  Frazier's  Farm ;  there 
after  detached. 

Eaches,  J.  M.,  transferred  from  First  Missouri  Infantry, 
February,  1864. 

Edwards,  B.  C.,  wounded  at  Dinwiddie  Court  House. 

^Fairfax,  E.  V.,  killed  in  the  charge  at  Williamsburg. 

Ford,  H. 

Foster,  George  B,.,  on  detached  service. 

*Hart,  John  S.,  made  First  Sergeant  Company  I;  killed 
at  Frazier's  Farm. 

Hough,  Harrie,  detached  at  General  Pickett's  Headquarters, 
November  10,  1862. 

Hancock,  J.  D. 

Hillsman,  A.  S. 

Hancock,  William,  discharged ;  overage;  February,  1864. 

Haskins,  D.  H. 

Hall,  L.  H. 


SE  VENTEENTH  VIR  QINIA  INF  ANTE  Y.  267 

Jones,  S.  J.,  wounded  at  Dinwiddie  Court  House. 

Johns,  E.  F.,  wounded  at  Drury's  Bluff;  discharged — ill- 
health,  December,  1864. 

Kerr,  George. 

Laughlan,  W.  C. 

Laudreth,  Thomas. 

Loggans  Samuel. 

May,  Reuben,  on  detached  service. 

McCawley,  A.  S.  B. 

Nannie,  B.  W.,  died  of  consumption  in  Petersburg,  Decem 
ber,  1863. 

*Paul,  R.  C.,  made  Second  Lieutenant,  Company  I. 

Pulliam,  T.  A. 

Ramsay,  George  W.,  with  his  Company  during  the  war; 
present  at  surrender. 

Rowland,  Abner. 

£5 toots,  John. 

Sutherland,  John. 

Turner,  Wilson,  transferred  to  Stewart's  Horse  Artillery  ; 
killed  at  second  Manassas. 


COMPANY  B. 

("WARREN   RIFLES.") 

*Robert  H.  Simpson,  Captain,  made  Major  Seventeenth  Vir 
ginia,  November,  1862  ;  mortally  wounded  at  Drury's 
Bluff. 

Newton  W.  Snyder,  First  Lieutenant ;  not  re-elected  at 
reorganization;  since  dead. 

Thomas  W.  Petty,  Second  Lieutenant;  not  re-elected  at 
reorganization ;  served  in  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry. 


268  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Victor  M.  Brown,  Second  Lieutenant;  made  Captain  and 
Regimental  Commissary,  1861 ;  Major  and  Brigade  Com 
missary,  November,  1862;  served  till  close  of  war;  since 
dead. 

*Francis  W.  Lehew,  First  Sergeant,  made  First  Lieutenant 
Company  B,  April,  1862;  Captain  Company  B,  Novem 
ber,  1862  ;  served  till  close  of  war. 

Richard  L.  Timberlake,  Second  Sergeant,  entered  Twelfth 
Virginia  Cavalry,  1862 ;  mortally  wounded  at 

*Richard  B.  Buck,  Third  Sergeant,  made  First  Sergeant 
Company  B,  April,  1862 ;  Lieutenant  in  1862 ;  served 
till  close  of  war;  wounded  at  Dinwiddie  Court  House. 

*  William  A.  Rust,  Fourth  Sergeant,  made  Third  Sergeant 
Company  B,  April,  1862;  badly  wounded  at  Williams' 
burg,  and  detailed  in  Quartermaster's  Department  there 
after. 

John  W.  Boone,  First  Corporal,  exchanged  to  Twelfth  Vir 
ginia  Cavalry,  1862. 

Henry  Walter,  Second  Corporal. 

George  Groves,  Third  Corporal,  detailed  in  1863  as  Regi 
mental  shoemaker. 

*Thomas  N.  Garrison,  Fourth  Corporal;  badly  wounded  and 
disabled  in  the  battle  of  Sharpsburg. 

Privates. 

Ashby,  B.  A. 

Bowen,  Thomas  A.,  discharged  in  1862. 

Buck,  Charles  N.f  disabled   by  accidental  wound,  April, 

1862. 

Brown,  David. 
Brown,  James  E. 
Balthis,  William  H. 
Brown,  Jesse. 


SE  VENTEENTH  VIR  OINIA  INFANTR  F.  269 

Cornwall,  Lebius,  served  with  his  Company  till  close  of  war. 

Chapman,  S.  F. 

*Carder,  Stephen,  mortally  wounded  at  Seven  Pines. 

Chuning,  Walter. 

Cooley  Samuel  C.,  transferred  to  Seventh  Virginia  Cavalry 

in  1862. 

Copp,  Leonard,  died,  May  2d,  1862. 
Castelow,  George  W. 
Cline,  Wm.  R.,  made  Sergeant  of  Company  B  ;  transferred 

to  Seventh  Virginia  Cavalry,  1863. 
*Darr,  Marcus  D.,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Boonsboro'. 
*Darr,  Philip  C.,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Frazier's  Farm. 
Derflinger,  Jonas  J.,  served  with  his  Company  till  close  of 

war. 

Duke,  George,  served  with  his  Company  till  close  of  war. 
Earle,  Baalis. 

Eckardt,  Charles,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Five  Forks. 
Farra,  Walton,  wounded  while  on  the  Howlett's  Line. 
*Frii?toe,  Scott,  served  with  his  Company  till  close  of  war, 
Forsythe,  William. 

*Forsythe  Milton,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Five  Forks. 
Fox,  Charles  W. 
Fox,  Lemuel  F. 

Grove,  Amos,  discharged  in  1862 ;  over  age. 
Garrett,  Newton,  served  with  his  Company  till  close  of  war. 
Gordon,  James  W.,  died,  April,  1862. 
Grubbs,  Franklin,  died — date  not  known. 
Harry,  James  P. 

Hopper,  James,  died — date  not  known. 
Johnston  John  J.,  transferred  to  Seventh  Virginia  Cavalry; 

killed. 

23* 


270  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Kenner,  William  B.,  served  -with  his  Company  till  close  of 
war. 

Kidwell,  John  T. 

Kendrick,  James  W. 

Lehew,  Charles  E.,  served  with  his  Company  till  close  of 
war. 

Lake,  John  H. 

Littleton,  E.  S.,  served  with  his  Company  till  close  of  war. 

Miller,  Joseph  W.,  served  with  his  Company  till  close  of 
war ;  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Flat  creek. 

Mitchell,  KobertB. 

Miller,  David. 

Myers,  Gasper,  served  with  his  Company  till  close  of  war. 

McDonald,  William  H.,  served  with  his  Company  till  close 
of  war. 

McKay,  Thomas  B.,  put  in  a  substitute  in  1862. 

Nail,  James  J. 

Oliver,  James  A.,  on  detailed  service  during  war  in  Quarter 
master's  Department. 

Painter,  John  R. 

Painter,  William  H. 

Peterson,  Elijah. 

*Petty,  James  T.,  served  with  his  Company  till  close  of 
war;  wounded  at  Dinwiddie  Court  House. 

Pipher,  De  Kalb,  made  Corporal,  then  Sergeant  Company 
B  ;  transferred  to  Seventh  Virginia  Cavalry,  1863;  after 
wards  killed. 

Peterson,  J.  W. 

Petty,  George  N. ,  exchanged  to  Twelfth  Virginia  Cavalry, 
October,  1862. 

Richardson,  C.  W.,  transferred  to  Seventh  Virginia  Cavalry, 
1862. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          271 

^Richardson,  William,  made  Lieutenant  Company  B,  April, 
1862;  mortally  wounded  at  Williainsburg. 

*Roy,  Walter  S.,  made  Sergeant  Company  B,  1862;  Lieu 
tenant  Company  B,  November,  1862;  served  with  dis 
tinction  till  close  of  war. 

Rinker,  Romanus,  served  with  his  Company  till  close  of 
war;  wounded  at  Dinwiddie  Court  House. 

^Roberts,  Marcus,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Flat  creek. 

Reed,  Peter,  served  with  his  Company  till  close  of  war. 

Ritenour,  Isaac. 

*Scroggin,  Peyton,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Williamsburg. 

Spengler,  D.  H. 

*Spengler,  S.  F.,  mortally  wounded  in  the  battle  of  second 
Manassas. 

*Steel,  John  W.,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Frazier's  Farm. 

Santmyers,  Thomas  W. ,  served  with  his  Company  till  close 
of  war. 

Settle,  George  W. 

Seemers,  John. 

Spicer,  Charles  W. 

Saffell,  Ed.  M. 

*Steod,  C.  J.,  killed  in  the  battle  of  second  Manassas. 

Triplett,  William  B. 

Triplett,  Leonidas. 

Tyler,  Gustavus,  made  Corporal  Company  B ;  served  till 
close  of  war. 

Turner,  R.  H.,  made  Captain  and  Regimental  Quartermaster, 
Aprii,  1862;  Major  and  Brigade  Quartermaster,  Novem 
ber,  1862. 

Turner,  James  H. 

Thompson,  E.  D.,  served  with  his  Company  till  close  of  war. 


272  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Turner,  William  B.,  made  Corporal  Company  B;  served 

till  close  of  war. 
Thompson,  Gilbert. 
Walter,  William. 

Williams,  George  N.,  discharged  in  1862;  over  age. 
Williams,  William. 
Willy,  Atwell  T. 
Watkins,  Samuel  A.,  served  with  his  Company  till  close  of 

war. 

Weaver,  Robert  L. 

Buck,  Alvin  D.,  on  detached  service  at  Army  Headquarters. 
Buck,  Irvin  A.,  went,  as  clerk  to  Gen.  Beauregard's  office,  to 

the  West ;  made  Captain  and  A.  A.  Gen.  to  Maj.  Gen. 

P.  R.  Cleburn,  December,  1861. 
Brown,  James  H.,  served  with  his  Company  till  close  of 

war. 

Campbell,  Thomas  R. 

Hope  George  H.,  detached  service  during  the  war. 
*Roy,    Thomas  B.,  went,  as   clerk   to  Gen.  Beauregard'e 

office,  to  the  West;  made  A.  A.  Gen.  to  Gen.  Hardee  at 

battle  of  Shiloh;    Major  in  August,  1862;  Lieutenant 

Colonel,  in  March,  1863. 
Scroggin,  Lewis  A.,  detailed  as  teamster  in  Quartermaster's 

Department. 
Stickley,  Philip,  served  with  his  Company  till  close  of  war. 


NAMES  OF  MEN  WHO  JOINED  COMPANY 
B,  AFTER  SEPTEMBER  1st,  1861. 

*Turner,  Smith  S.,  made  Second  Lieutenant  Company  B, 
April,  1862;  First  Lieutenant,  November,  1862;  served 
with  distinction  till  close  of  war. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         273 

Williams,  George  A.,  made  Captain  and  A.  A.  General  to 

Brigadier  General  Liddell,  in  June,  1862. 
Petty,   Bertrand  W.,   made  First  Sergeant  Company  B; 

served  till  close  of  war. 
Cook,  Giles,  Jr.,  made  Sergeant  Company  B;  transferred 

to  Seventh  Virginia  Cavalry  in  1863. 
*Brown,  John  N.,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Drury's  Bluff. 
*Broy,  Elias,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines. 
Broy,  William. 
Brown,  George  W. 

Brown,  Joseph,  died — date  not  known. 
Brown,  Joseph. 

Cooper,  Edward,  served  with  his  Company  till  close  of  war. 
*Chrisinan,  John  W.,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Williamsburg. 
Elbon,  Joseph,  on  detached  'service. 
Hopper,  Harrison,  served  with  his  Company  till  close  of 

war. 

*Hicksonv  William,  killed  at  Cold  Harbor  in  1864. 
*Keller,  Joseph,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Flat  creek. 
Farmer,  Edward. 

Petty,  Henry  S.,  served  with  his  Company  till  close  of  war. 
*Reager,  Lewis,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Flat  creek. 
Steed,  Charles  B.,  killed  accidently,  April,  1864. 
*Simpson,  John  W.,  killed  in  the  battle  of  second  Manassas. 
Simmons,  Charles,  died— date  not  known. 
*Stokes,  Joseph,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Dinwiddie  Court 

House. 

Venable,  James. 

Willey,  Achillis,  discharged — date  not  known. 
Willey,  Jacob,  served  with  his  Company  till  close  of  war. 


274  HISTORY  OF  TEE 

COMPANY  C. 

("LOUDOUN  GUARDS.") 

George  R.  Head,  Captain,  re-elected  Captain  at  reorganiza 
tion,  but  resigned. 

William  B.  Lynch,  First  Lieutenant;  elected  Captain  upon 
resignation  of  Geo.  R.  Head. 

Charles  B.  Wildman,  Second  Lieutenant. 

Jesse  J.  Stansbury,  Second  Lieutenant. 

*W.  W.  Athey,  First  Sergeant,  promoted  First  Lieutenant 
Company  C,  April  28,  1862. 

A.  J.  Bradfield,  Second  Sergeant,  on  detached  service  in- 
Commissary  Department. 

F.  M.  Henderson,  Third  Sergeant,  promoted  to  First  Lieu 
tenant  and  Ordnance  officer,  Corse's  Brigade,  October, 
1862. 

Charles  E.  Evard,  Fourth  Sergeant. 

William  D.  Easterday,  First  Corporal. 

William  S.  Pickett,  Second  Corporal. 

Benjamin  F.  Head,  Third  Corporal,  promoted  to  Sergeant, 
April,  1862. 

Edgar  Littleton,  Fourth  Corporal,  served  through  the  war. 

Privates. 

Anker,  Moses,  discharged,  August  10,  1862. 

*Adie,  George   C.,  promoted    Lieutenant  of  Company  I, 

April,  1862;  killed  at  Frazier's  Farm. 
Athey,  John  M. 
*Atwell,  Luther  L.,  killed  at  Sharpsburg,  and  buried  on 

battle  field. 
Bender,  William. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         275 

Birkby,  Charles  T. 

Birkby,  Henry  C. 

Bopp,  William  G-. 

Brenner,  John  E  ,  captured  at  Manassas  Gap,  and  a  prisoner 

till  end  of  war. 

Brown,  Felding,  discharged,  July,  1862. 
*Bradfield,   C.  H.,   very  badly  wounded  May   31,   1862; 

Seven  Pines. 

Burke,  Richard,  promoted  to  Sergeant  Company  C,   Sep 
tember,  1862  ;  served  during  the  war ;  wounded  at  Wil- 

liamsburg. 

*Brown,  John  C.,  killed  at  Sharpsburg. 
Clagett,  Thomas  H.,  Jr.,  promoted  Captain  in  Signal  Corps, 

May,  1862. 

Cockran,  William  J. ,  with  his  Company  during  the  war. 
Cocklin,  Michael, 
Coury,  David  H. 
Chamberlin,  AM. 

Chamberlin,  John,  discharged,  June  15,  1862. 
Dailey,  John  T. 
Donnelly,  Edward. 
*Divine,  John  A.,  promoted  to  First  Sergeant  Company  C, 

September,  1862 :  was  in  every  battle  and  skirmish  his 

Company  engaged  in  ;  since  dead. 
*Edwards,  Chas.  GL,  badly  wounded  in  battle  of  Blackburn's 

Ford ;  promoted  Orderly  Sergeant  Eighth  Virginia,  May, 
1862. 

Edwards,  Chas.  E.,  discharged  May  16,  1862. 
Fox,  Erasmus  H.,  discharged. 
*Francis,  Joseph  F.,  Sergeant  Major  Seventeenth  Virginia; 

killed  at  Seven  Pines. 

*Garner,  H.,  promoted  to  Corporal  Company  C  ;  killed  on 
Hewlett's  Line. 


276  HISTORY  OF  TEE 

Hamilton,  Charles. 

Hardy,  Win   H.,  badly  wounded  at  Sharpsburg. 

Harris,  Spencer  M. 

*Hatcher,  Mahlon  Gr.,  Color  Sergeant  Seventeenth  Virginia ; 

badly  wounded  at  Williamsburg,  and  thereafter  detailed 

in  Quartermaster's  Department. 
Hammerly,  John  U. 
Hurst,  Samuel  N.,  promoted  to  Corporal  Company  C ;  served 

during  the  war. 

Insor,  John,  served  with  Company  during  the  war. 
Johanas,  Martin. 
Johnson,  Wm.  H. 
Kelly,  John  W. 
King,  Edgar  C.,  appointed  Ordnance  Sergeant  Seventeenth 

Virginia,  November,  1863  ;  served  till  end  of  the  war. 
Kephart,  Jasper  C. 
*Lambden,  Geo.  T.,  promoted  to  Lieutenant  Company  C, 

.April,  1862;  killed  at  Frazier's  Farm. 
Lauman,  John  H. 
^Littleton,  Francis  B.,  promoted  to  Lieutenant,  April,  1862 ; 

killed  at  Sharpsburg. 
Linkins,  Henry  B. 
Loughlin,  Michael. 
McCue,  Patrick. 
Manning,  Jacob  H.,  promoted  Captain  Signal  Corps,  June, 

1862. 

*Murphy,  John,  promoted  Color  Corporal  Seventeenth  Vir 
ginia. 

Muse,  James  H.,  discharged  in  1862,  (July  16th.) 
Mitchell,  E.  H.,  died  in  hospital  at  Manassas,  January, 

1862. 
Moley,  James. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          277 

*Murphy,  John  L.  A.,  lost  a  leg  at  Williamsburg ;  died  in 

Old  Capitol  prison,  June  30,  1862. 
Norris,  Thos.  B.,  discharged  July,  1862. 
Orr,  John  M. 
Orrison,  Samuel. 
Parker,  Lafayette. 
Quigley,  John. 
*Raney,  Geo.  W.,  killed  May  19,  1862,  by  shell,  while 

near  Hewlett's  Line. 
Ran,  Charles  H. 
Rogers,  Milton  M.,  promoted  to  Lieutenant  in  Loudoun 

Artillery,  May,  1862. 

Rheim,  James  J.,  discharged  May  15,  1862. 
Rheim,  Wm.  (}.,  discharged  May  15,  1862. 
Sexton,  John  W.,  wounded  badly  at  Blackburn's  Ford; 

discharged  July  16,  1862. 
*Sibbett,  James  H.,  killed  at  Williamsburg. 
Sinclair,  Chas.  W.,  discharged  July  16,  1862. 
Skinner,  Edgar,  discharged. 
Small,  John  C. 

Steadman,  Marshall  B.,  discharged  July  16,  1862. 
Smart,  Fayette,  died  March  24,  1863. 
Thomas,  Joseph  B. 
Thomas,  Wm.  H. 
Thompson,  John  E. 
Taylor,  John  M. 
Vaudevanter,  C. 

Wallace,  David  M.,  wounded  at  Seven  Pines. 
Wallace,  James  W. 
*  Wallace,  Francis  M.,  promoted  to  Sergeant  Company  C, 

April,  1862  ;  killed  at  Boonsboro'. 
*Wallace,  James  M.  Jr.,  killed  in  battle  Frazier's  Farm. 

24 


278  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Woodard,  John  W.,  died  January,  1862. 
Wright,  John  E. 

Zealort,  John,  transferred  to  Maryland  Line. 
Adams,  William,  Regimental  drummer. 


NAMES  OF  MEN  WHO  JOINED  COMPANY 
C  AFTER  SEPTEMBER  1,  1861. 

Adams,  Wm.  F.,  discharged  in  1862. 

*Brightwell,  Jas.  T.,  killed  at  Drury's  Bluff. 

*  Cherry,  Benj.  E,.,  killed  at  Dhrwiddie  Court  House. 

Donnelly,  Patrick. 

Dove,  D.,  Wounded  in  battle  of  Second  Manassas. 

East,  Jos.  H. 

Ford,  Sephton. 

Hays,  Edward. 

Harris,  Chas.  T.,  with  his  Company  through  the  war. 

Hollingsworth,  Thos.  J.,  with  his  Company  through  the  war. 

Lefever,  Henry,  with  his  Company  through  the  war. 

*Lawhorn,  Wm.,  lost  a  leg  in  battle   at  Dinwiddie  Court 

House. 

Massie,  Z.  P.,  served  with  Company  during  the  war. 
McCraw,  Richard,  died  in  hospital,  August,  1864. 
McCraw,  Robert,  died  in  hospital,  July  25,  1864. 
Mechols,  Samuel,  served  through  the  war. 
Morris,  Nicholas,  served  through  the  war. 
*Mechols,  Rosemary,  killed  at  Drury's  Bluff,  May  16,  1864. 
Parker,  John  W.  B.,  on  detached  service. 
Reynolds,  John,  Served  through  the  war. 
Sewell,  James  W.,  died  in  hospital,  North  Carolina,  April, 

1864. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          279 

*Wright,  Chas.  E.,  killed  in  battle  of  Williamsburg. 
Witt,  Adam  H.,  discharged  July  9,  1864. 


COMPANY  D. 

("FAIRFAX  RIFLES.") 

Wm.  II.  Dulaney,  Captain,  badly  wounded  at  Blackburn's 
Ford. 

*Wm.  A.  Barnes,  First  Lieutenant,  promoted  to  Captain 
Company  D,  upon  death  of  J.  T.  Burke ;  wounded  at 
Boonsboro'. 

Francis  Or.  Fox,  Second  Lieutenant. 

*John  T.  Burke,  Second  Lieutenant,  elected  Captain  Com 
pany  D,  April,  1862;  wounded  at  Seven  Pines;  killed  in 
battle  of  Sharpsburg. 

Alexander  C.  Williams,  First  Sergeant. 

George  W.  Gains,  Second  Sergeant. 

John  D.  Newnan,  Third  Sergeant. 

John  K.  Steel,  Fourth  Sergeant,  promoted  Sergeant  Com 
pany  D. 

William  H.  Steel,  First  Corporal. 

James  R.  Steel,  Second  Corporal. 

Richard  H.  Butler,  Third  Corporal. 

John  H.  Barnes,  Fourth  Corporal. 

Privates. 

Ashford,  Charles  C. 

Ashford,  Francis  A;  made  Lieutenant  Company  D. 
Ashford,  John  A. 

*Barnes,  Samuel  L.,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Dinwiddie  Court 
House. 


HISTORY  OF  TEE 

*Beach,  Ferdinand. 
Beach,  James. 
Brown,  William  H. 
Beak,  Thomas. 
Beach,  Kichard. 
Caton,  John  C. 
Cash,  Patrick. 
Chichester,  Daniel  Me. 

Coon,  Solyman. 

*Corbit,  Robert  E.,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Drury's  Bluff. 

Cornell,  Charles. 

Cornell,  Alexander. 

Cockerville,  Joseph. 

Cockerville,  John  H. 

Cook,  Israel,  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Williamsburg. 

Crowley,  Michael. 

Davis,  John  H. 

Davis,  James  F. 

Dulany,  Winn  T. 

Dove,  Armstead. 

Firmacom,  Geo.  W. 

*Ford,  Walter  S.,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Dmwiddie 

House. 

Freeman,  Joseph  N. 
Fairfax,  James  W. 
Fox,  Wm.  H. 
Gooding,  Wm.  P. 
Guard,  Robert. 
Gunnell,  Charles  A. 
Gossam,  James  H. 
Grigsby,  A.  S. 
Hall,  William. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         281 

Hixon,  John,  wounded  at  Boonsboro'. 

Howard,  Peter. 

Harmon,  Henry  T. 

Ish,  Milton. 

Jackson,  Charles. 

Kidwell,  John  T. 

Kincheloe,  Robert  E. 

Kidwell,  Charles. 

Lynn,  Thos.  W. 

*Marks,  David  A.,  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Williamsburg. 

Millan,  George  S. 

Monroe,  Deskin. 

Mills,  S.  D.,  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Williamsburg. 

Mayhugh,  James. 

Mayhugh,  Richard. 

Mayhugh,  George. 

Nails,  Benj.  F. 

*Newcomb,  John  W.,  promoted  to  Sergeant  Company  D- 

killed  in  front  of  Cold  Harbor. 
Newman,  Charles. 
Payne,  Sanford. 
Pettitt,  John  T. 
Pettitt,  Geo.  W. 
Pettitt,  Chas.  R. 
Pearson,  James. 
*Richardson,  Jas.  W.,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Dinwiddie 

Court  House. 
Richardson,  Geo.  H. 
Ratcliffe,  John  R. 
Simpson,  Silas  J. 
Speaks,  Everett. 
Spindle,  Spotsylvania. 

24* 


282  HISTOR  T  OF  THE 

Steel,  Robert,  promoted  to   Color  Sergeant ;  wounded   at 

Seven  Pines. 
Sutherland,  A. 
Sutherland,  E. 
Sutherland,  J.  W. 
Stallians,  Wm. 
Steel,  Peter  C. 

Taylor,  Robert  S.,  on  detached  service. 
Thomas,  Edgar. 
Thomas,  James  A. 
Thompson,  Minor  L. 
Trumble,  Martin. 
Wrenn,  Nelson  H. 


NAMES  OF  MEN  WHO  JOINED  COMPANY 
D  AFTER  SEPTEMBER  1,  1861. 

Coons,  Lyman,  wounded  at  Torktown. 

COMPANY  E. 

("MOUNT  VERNON  GUARDS.") 

S.  H.  Devaughn,  Captain. 

*Steuart,  Jas.  M.,  Captain,  elected  Captain,  April  29, 1862 ; 

vice  W.  H.  Smith,  resigned. 
William  H.  Smith,  First  Lieutenant,  re-elected  Captain, 

April,  1862,  and  resigned  the  next  day. 
"William  "W.  Allen,  Second  Lieutenant. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         283 

Charles  Javins,  Second  Lieutenant,  severely  wounded  at 
Blackburn's  Ford,  July  18,  1861. 

John  T.  Devaughn,  First  Sergeant,  discharged  on  account 
of  over  age. 

*A.  M.  Tubman,  Second  Sergeant,  promoted  to  First  Lieu 
tenant,  April,  1862;  badly  wounded  at  Boonsboro',  and 
retired. 

Joseph  Hantzman,  Third  Sergeant. 

*  James  A.  Proctor,  Fourth  Sergeant,  wounded  at  Frazier's 

Farm,  and  died  from  effects  of  wound. 

*  James  E.  Molair,  First  Corporal,  killed  in  the  battle  of 

Seven  Pines. 

*William  M.  Simpson,  Second  Corporal,  promoted  Lieuten 
ant  Company  E,  April,  1862. 

William  Hammerdinger,  Third  Corporal. 

John  A.  Humphries,  Fourth  Corporal,  on  detailed  service 
at  Lynchburg. 

Privates. 

*  Allison,  John,  badly  wounded  on  Hewlett's  Line,  and  died 

from  effects  of  wounds ;  distinguished  for  bravery. 

Allison,  Richard  F.,  wounded  at  Seven  Pines. 

Arrington,  Charles  H. 

Allison,  John  H. 

Allison,  George  W.,  on  detailed  service  with  Brigade  Ord 
nance. 

Biggs,  Henry  R.,  wounded  at  Yorktown. 

Beach,  Solomon. 

*Bushby,  Joseph,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Frazier's  Farm. 

Brown,  Alexander  H.,  on  detached  service  with  Medical 
Department. 

Bruin,  Delaney. 


284  HISTORY  OF  THE 

*Coleman,  S.  S.,  distinguished  for  gallantry;  transferred  to 
Navy  Department,  1864. 

Craven,  George. 

Conway,  Albert. 

*Colonms,  Joseph,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Sharpsburg. 

Clapdore,  William  H. ,  transferred  to  Navy  Department. 

Chauncey,  Thomas  A. 

Cook,  John  T.,  died  of  disease. 

Cross,  Thomas,  with  his  Company  during  the  war. 

Davis,  Thomas,  on  detached  service  with  Quartermaster's 
Department. 

Delphy,  John,  on  detached  service  in  Richmond. 

Dudly,  Joseph  T. 

Day,  James,  detached  service  in  Lynchburg. 

Duvall,  James  E.,  transferred  to  Maryland  Line, 

Donelly,  John. 

Davis,  R.  H.,  transferred  to  Cavalry  service. 

Davis,  Arthur,  on  detached  service  with  Quartermaster. 

Darly,  William. 

Davis,  Peter,  on  detached  service  with  Ordnance  Train. 

*Emmerson,  Benjamin  F.,  wounded  at  Frazier's  Farm,  and 
died  from  effects  of  wounds. 

Edwards,  Ephriam,  discharged — over  age. 

Field,  Edgar  H. 

Field,  Benjamin  F.,  promoted  First  Sergeant,  Company  E. 

Field,  George  W. 

Fadely  Charles  W.,  wounded  at  Second  Manassas,  and  dis 
charged. 

Flxhnor,  William,  discharged — over  age. 

Greenwood,  Charles,  promoted  First  Corporal  Company  E. 

Gregg,  Joseph,  promoted  Corporal  Company  E. 

Gale,  James,  on  detached  service  in  Lynchburg. 

Hantyman,  George. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          285 

Hudson,  Thomas  B.,  wounded  at  Frazier's  Farm,  and  dis 
charged. 

Horseman,  John. 

Hicks,  Albert,  promoted  to  Second  Sergeant  Company  E ; 
with  Company  till  end  of  war. 

*Harper,  Washington  M.,  promoted  to  Color  Corporal ;  dis 
tinguished  for  gallantry;  killed  at  Sharpsburg. 

Harper,  George  G.,  discharged — over  age. 

Jones,  Stephen. 

Jenkins,  William. 

Kid  well,  Hezekiah,  died  of  disease. 

Kraig,  Godfred,  procured  a  substitute. 

Kirk,  Harrison,  discharged — over  age. 

Lyles,  George  W. 

Lyles,  Alexander. 

Lewis,  William  L. 

Lewis,  Charles  E.,  transferred  to  Cavalry  service. 

Lawler,  John,  transferred  to  Navy  Department. 

Myers,  Abraham,  furnished  a  substitute. 

Murray,  John  W. 

Mankin,  Charles. 

*McKnight,  William  P.,  elected  Second  Lieutenant,  April, 
1862  ;  promoted  to  First  Lieutenant  Company  E,  July 
26,  1864;  received  three  wounds  at  Sharpsburg. 

Ogden,  George. 

Ogden,  Elijah,  on  detached  service  in  Richmond. 

Piles,  Walter,  discharged — over  age. 

Paff,  Frederick. 

Powers,  Franklin,  promoted  Lieutenant  Company  G. 

Proctor,  John  J. 

Paine,  John. 

*Padgett,  William  T.,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Williamsburg. 


286  HISTORY  OF  THE 

*Penn,  Joseph  B.,  killed  at  the  battle  of  Williamsburg. 

Rudd,  Charles  D.,  discharged — over  age. 

Richards,  George  H.,  on  detached  service  in  Commissary 

Department. 
Roland,  Richard,  promoted  Sergeant  Company  E ;  severely 

wounded  at  Seven  Pines. 
Rudd,  Isaac  W. 

Rudd,  Robert,  on  detached  service  in  Lynchburg. 
Robey,  William,  transferred  to  Maryland  Line. 
Sipple,  Charles  0. 
Shinn,  James  W.,  on  detached  service  in  Quartermaster's 

Department. 
Stephenson,  Robert  A.,  promoted  to  Sergeant  Company  E  ; 

afterwards  Lieutenant  in  Twenty-fifth  Battalion. 
Schwartz,  Isaac,  furnished  a  substitute. 
Summers,  George  L.,  promoted  to  Sergeant  Company  E. 
Sullivan,  John.  - 
Snyder,  George. 
Swann,  James. 

*Skidmore,  A.  F.,  killed  at  Yorktown. 
Turner,  Albert,  discharged — over  age. 
Underwood,  William,  with  Company  during  the  war. 
Walker,  James  T.',  transferred  to  Navy  Department. 
*Warfield,   George  T.,  promoted   Corporal   Company    E; 

killed  at  Frazier's  Farm. 
Walker,  E.  0. 

Waters,  John  W.,  transferred  to  Navy  Department. 
Williams,  Joseph,  discharged — over  age. 
Warring,  Edward,  with  Company  during  the  war. 
Warring,  Basil. 

*Wools,  Albert,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Frazier's  Farm. 
White,  Charles  0.,  discharged. 
Young,  Daniel. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          287 

NAMES  OF  MEN  WHO  JOINED  COMPANY 
E,  AFTER  SEPTEMBER  1st,  1861. 

Greenwood,  John,  died  of  disease. 
Rose,  A.  F.,  wounded  at  Boonsboro'. 

Gardner, . 

Kenly, . 

Hanks,  E. 
Carrico,  W. 

Clarke, •. 

Glasscock,  George,  wounded  at  Dinwiddie  Court  House. 

Abbot,  George. 

*Duncan,  W.,  killed  at  Dinwiddie  Court  House. 

Bransford, . 

Cassel,  . 

Christian, ,  died  from  disease. 

Shrakes,  James  P.,  ^ 

Mankin,  Samuel,     V  Alexandrians  who  joined  about  1864, 

Miffleton,  Henry,    ) 


COMPANY  F. 

(  "  PRINCE   WILLIAM   RIFLES.") 

Geo.  S.  Hamilton,  Captain,  resigned  at  reorganization, 
April,  1862. 

*Grayson  Tyler,  First  Lieut.,  made  Captain,  April,  1862; 
acting  Major  from  May,  1864;  madeLt.  Col.  Aug.,  1864. 

*  Winston  L.  Carter,  Second  Lieutenant,  killed  at  Williams- 
burg,  May  5,  1862. 


288  HISTORY  OF  THE 

John  R.  Jordan,  First  Sergeant,  transferred  to  Navy  De 
partment. 

*  James  E.  Herrell,  Second  Sergeant,  made  First  Lieutenant, 

April,  1862 ;  Captain,  August,  1864. 

Lewis  H.  Hambrick,  Third  Sergeant,  discharged. 

*Joel  N.  Hulfish,   Fourth  Sergeant,   made  Second  Lieu 
tenant;  killed  at  Frazier's  Farm. 

*  James  A.  Pattie,  First  Corporal,   made   Sergeant   Com 

pany  F. 

^Frederick  Ebhardt,  Second  Corporal,  lost  left  thumb  at 
Williamsburg. 

*  Jessie  S.  Rogers,  Third  Corporal,  made  First  Sergeant 

Company  F ;  wounded  at  Seven  Pines. 
*Geo.  S.  Pickett,  Fourth  Corporal,  severely  wounded  at 
Sailor's  Creek. 

Privates. 

*  Arnold,  William. 

*Brady,  James  D.,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines. 
*Brady,  Richard,  died  in  Richmond. 
*Brady,  John  W.,  died  in  prison. 

*Basey,  Edmond,  made  Sergeant  Company  F ;    killed  at 
Seven  Pines. 

*  Burgess,  John  R.,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Frazier's  Farm. 
*Burgess,  E.  W.,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines. 
Bristow,  R.  B.,  transferred  to  artillery. 

*Baxter,  Wm.  H.,  wounded  badly  at  Drury's  Bluff;  killed 

in  the  battle  of  Five  Forks. 
Cogan,  Chas.  E.,  wounded  at  Seven  Pines. 
Clowe,  Thos.  S.,  died  at  his  home. 

*  Carter,  A.  J.,  wounded  at  Williamsburg. 

*Clowe,  E.  W.,  wounded  at  Seven  Pines,  afterwards  dis 
charged. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.          289 

*Cornwell,  John  W.,  wounded  at  Frazier's  Farm. 

Callehan,  Patrick. 

*Carter,  James  A. 

Canty,  Stephen. 

Davis,  Minor  F.,  wounded  at  Seven  Pines. 

*Davis,  Wm.  E.,  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Sharpsburg. 

Duval,  F.  M. 

Ellis,  Thos.  R.,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Sailor's  Creek. 

Foley,  A.  R. 

Foley,  Richard  A. 

Foley,  Willis  F. 

Flynn,  John. 

*Grayson,  A.  B.,  killed  in  the  battle  of  William sburg. 

*Galliher,  M.  W.,  wounded  at  Frazier's  Farm,  and  dis 
charged  in  consequence. 

*Hutcherson,  R.  L. 

Harrison,  John  C.,  transferred  to  . 

*Hairless,  James  N. 

*Hairless,  Chas.  S. 

*Hurst,   James  R.,  killed  at  Petersburg   by  one  of  the 

Seventeenth  Virginia. 
*Hawley,  A.  B.  D. 

*Hixson,  Felix  G.,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Frazier's  Farm. 
^Harrington,  Daniel,  discharged,  over  age. 
*Hutcherson,  F.  M. 
Kermard,  Geo.  W. 
Keys,  Rob't  A. 

*Lee,  Reubin  M.,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Five  Forks. 
McDonaugh,  Jas.,  discharged  in  1862. 
Mclntosh,  Wm.  S.,  died  in  hospital — date  not  known. 
*Moore,  John  A.,  supposed  to  have  been  killed  at  Five  Forks. 
Marshall,  John  G. 

25 


290  HISTORY  OF  THE 

^Newman,  M.  R.,  wounded  at  Williamsburg ;  made  Color 

Corporal. 
*Nalls,  Thos.  W. 

*0'Shea,  Thomas,  made  Lieutenant  Company  I. 
Polend,  John  T. 
Polend,  Chas.  J. 
Payne,  James  B. 
Payne,  Levi. 
*Pierson,  Geo.  W. 
Pierson,  Rob't  A. 
*Rollins,  James  D.,  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Frazier's 

Farm. 

Riszin,  John  F.,  discharged  while  at  Fairfax  Court  House. 
Rennoe,  John  L.,  wounded  at  May's  Head. 
^Smith,  Wm.  R.,  made  Sergeant  Company  F;  killed  at 

Seven  Pines. 
Sutler,  William. 
^Sherwood,  W.  W. 
*Sullivan,  Jas.  R. 
Sherwood,  James  B. 

Turner,  Thos.  W.,  discharged  on  account  of  ill  health. 
Tillet,  James  F. 


NAMES  OF  MEN  WHO  JOINED  COMPANY 
F  AFTER  SEPTEMBER  1,  1861. 

*Basey,  Luther,  died  in  hospital  at  Petersburg. 

*Brawner,  John  A. 

#Hite,  George,  supposed  to  have  been  killed  at  Sailor's 

Creek. 

*Rollins,  Geo.  W.,  wounded  at  Five  Forks. 
*Harrison,  S.,  Lieutenant,  wounded  at  Seven  Pines. 
Watson,  R.,  wounded  at  Seven  Pines. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         291 

COMPANY  G. 
("EMMETT  GUAKDS.") 

J.  E.  Towson,  Captain,  entered  artillery  service. 

W.  H.  Kemper,  First  Lieutenant,  entered  artillery  service* 

*Robert  F.  Knox,  Second  Lieutenant,  promoted  Captain 

Company  Gr,  April,  1862 ;  wounded  at  Seven  Pines,  and 

Dinwiddie  Court  House. 
Charles  W.  Wattles,  Second  Lieutenant,  entered  the  War 

Department  in  Richmond. 
*  James  W.  Ivors,  First  Sergeant,  wounded  at  Yorktown ; 

died  from  effects  of  wound. 

James  Donohoe,  Second  Sergeant,  record  unknown. 
Edmund  Costigan,  Third  Sergeant,  record  unknown. 
Michael  Nugeant,  Fourth  Sergeant,  record  unknown. 
*Patrick  Doyle,  First  Corporal,  promoted  Sergeant,  April, 

1862;  killed  at  Seven  Pines. 

Francis  McEllier,  Second  Corporal;  record  unknown. 
John  Murphy,  Third  Corporal,  record  unknown. 
James  Brannon,  Fourth  Corporal,  record  unknown. 

Privates. 

Archibald,  James,  record  unknown. 
Butler,  Thomas,  record  unknown. 
Burke,  Patrick,  record  unknown. 
Bradley,  James,  record  unknown. 
Brennan,  Thomas,  record  unknown, 
Conner,  Cornelius,  record  unknown. 
Connelly,  Francis,  record  unknown. 
Carroll,  Thomas,  record  unknown. 


292  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Cook,  William,  record  unknown. 

Delihunt,  John,  record  unknown. 

Dohoney,  Daniel,  killed  at  Boonsboro',  Md. 

Downey,  Michael,  record  unknown. 

Dohoney,  John,  record  unknown. 

Dyer,    Michael,    wounded   at   Williamsburg ;  discharged, 

1862;  over  age. 

Fitzgerald,  Lawrence,  record  unknown. 
Fitzgerald,  Jerry,  record  unknown. 
Farrell,  Anthony,  record  unknown. 
*Grace,  John,  with  his  Company  during  the  war. 
Griffin,  Daniel,  record  unknown. 
Harper,  Charles. 

Honigan,  John,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Drury's  Bluff. 
Hayes,   Thomas,  promoted  to  Color  Corporal ;  wounded  at 

Sharpsburg. 

Hassan,  Patrick,  record  unknown. 
Hart,  Patrick,  record  unknown. 
Hoar,  Morris,  record  unknown. 
Henry,  Alexander. 

^Harrington,  Patrick,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines. 
*  Johnson,  James,  with  his  Company  during  the  war. 
*Keating,  James,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Boonsboro1. 
Keating,  Patrick,  wounded  at  Williamsburg. 
Lane,  Patrick,  record  unknown. 
Lynch,  Morris,  record  unknown. 
*Murphy,  John,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Williamsburg. 
Mack,  Dennis,  record  unknown. 
McSherry,  Patrick,  record  unknown. 
McSherry,  Richard,  record  unknown. 
Moore,  Michael,  record  unknown. 
McKeown,  William,  record  unknown. 
McGinnety,  John,  record  unknown. 
McKiligat,  John,  record  unknown. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.        293 

McCarty,  Charles,  record  unknown. 

Monahan,  Lawrence,  record  unknown. 

Mongoll,  Frederick,  discharged,  1862 ;  over  age. 

Martin,  James,  record  unknown. 

*Manly,  David,  wounded  at  second  Manassas. 

Manly,  Joseph,  record  unknown. 

Nugent,  John,  record  unknown. 

Purcell,  William,  died  in  Richmond,  1863. 

Quinn,  James,  record  unknown. 

*Riley,  Patrick,  promoted   First   Sergeant   Company  G; 

served  with  distinction  during  the  war. 
*Ready,    John,    with   Company  during  the  war — a  good 

soldier. 

*Smith,  Hugh,  record  unknown. 
Thompson,  James,  with  his  Company  during  the  war.. 
Travers,  Michael,  record  unknown. 


NAMES  OF  MEN  WHO  JOINED  COMPANY 
G,  SINCE  SEPTEMBER  1st  1861. 

*  James  A.  Fisher,  promoted  First  Sergeant ;  badly  wounded* 

at  Drury's  Bluff. 
*Paul,   Samuel  B.,  Lieutenant;  formerly  in  Company  A^ 

killed  at  Dinwiddie  Court  House. 
Robinson, r  killed  in  the  battle  of  Dinwiddie  Court 

House. 

Clark,  G.,  record  unknown. 

*Haywood,  William,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Drury's  Bluff> 
Elliott,  Thomas,  wounded  at  Drury's  Bluff. 
Austin,  L.  W.,  wounded  at  Drury's  Bluff. 
25* 


294  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Looing,  L.,  wounded  at  Drury's  Bluff. 

*Powers,  F.,  First  Lieutenant,  wounded  at  Boonsboro',  Md. 

*Addison,  J.   F.,  Lieutenant;  formerly  in  Company  A ; 

killed  at  Williamsburg. 
*Gray,  William  E.,  Lieutenant;  formerly  in  Company  A; 

killed  at  Seven  Pines. 
Kennedy,  Daniel,  wounded  at  Dinwiddie  Court  House. 


COMPANY  H. 

("OLD   DOMINION   RIFLES.") 

*  Arthur  Herbert,  Captain,  elected  Major,  April,  1862; 
Lieutenant  Colonel,  November,  1862;  Colonel,  August, 
1864. 

*Wm.  H.  Fowle,  Jr.,  First  Lieutenant,  promoted  Captain, 
April,  1862 ;  wounded  at  Seven  Pines  and  Drury's  Bluff. 

*D.  F.  Forrest,  Second  Lieutenant,  accepted  a  position  on 
General  Trimble's  Staff,  afterwards  Paymaster  in  the 
Navy. 

*W.  W.  Zimmerman,  Second  Lieutenant/promoted  to  First 
Lieutenant,  April,  1862;  served  as  Adjutant  of  the  Seven 
teenth  Virginia  from  November,  1862. 

*A.  C.  Kell,  First  Sergeant,  promoted  to  Second  Lieutenant, 
April,  1862;  wounded  at  Boonsboro'. 

S.  K.  Shinn,  Second  Sergeant,  promoted  to  Lieutenant  of 
Heavy  Battery,  near  Richmond ;  since  dead. 

*Thos.  V.  Fitzhugh,  Third  Sergeant,  promoted  to  Lieu 
tenant,  April,  1862  ;  wounded  at  Seven  Pines,  and  died 
from  effects  of  wound. 

A.  N.  Hurdle,  Fourth  Sergeant,  promoted  to  Sergeant;  with 
Company  during  the  war. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         295 

*Jas.  E.  Grimes,  First  Corporal,  promoted  to  Sergeant; 
died  from  effects  of  wounds  received  at  Williamsburg. 

George  Wise,  Second  Corporal,  promoted  to  Sergeant  Com 
pany  H;  appointed  Ordnance  Sergeant  Seventeenth  Vir 
ginia,  November,  1 862 ;  assigned  to  duty  with  First 
Regiment  Engineer  Troops,  by  order  of  the  War  Depart 
ment,  December,  1863. 

W.  H.  H.  Smith,  Third  Corporal ;  since  dead. 

*Euwin  G.  Barbour,  Fourth  Corporal,  a  good  soldier ;  died 
in  prison  from  effects  of  wounds  received  at  the  battle  of 
Williamsburg. 

Privates. 

Arnold,  John,  with  his  Company  during  the  war. 
Ashby,  V.  W.,  transferred  to  Company  A  while  at  York- 
town. 
Adam,  W.  W.,  transferred  to  Cavalry  while  on  Hewlett's 

Line. 
*Appich,  Harrison,  wounded  at  Seven  Pines  and  at  Sailor's 

Creek. 
^Baldwin,  Jonah  W.,  died  in  Richmond   from   effects   of 

wounds  received  at  Seven  Pines. 
Baldwin,  Ed.  F.,  wounded  at  Seven  Pines  and  at  Sailor' g 

Creek. 
Beacham,  Edwin  S.,  died  in  Lynchburg  from  disease;   a 

good  soldier. 

Bacon,'  Wm.  H.,  with  his  Company  during  the  war. 
*Buchanan,  Robert,  promoted  Color  Corporal ;  died  from 

effects  of  wound  received  at  Manassas  Gap. 
*Bradley,  Henry  N.,  promoted  to  Color  Corporal;  wounded 

severely  at  Williamsburg,   and  afterwards  on  detached 

duty. 


296  HISTORY  OF  TEE 

*Burgess,  Charles,  killed  at  Frazier's  Farm  while  gallantly 
fighting. 

Berry,  Douglass,  on  detached  service  in  Lynchburg  during 
the  war. 

Beach,  John,  with  his  Company  during  the  war. 

Brent,  Virginius,  severely  wounded  at  Frazier's  Farm. 

*Boyer,  Wm.  H.,  promoted  to  Sergeant;  wounded  at  Second 
Manassas ;  died  from  effects  of  wound  received  at  Sailor's 
Creek. 

*Ballenger,  Clinton,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Williamsburg. 

*Castleman,  Wm.  A.,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Sharpsburg. 

Collingsworth,  Robert,  with  his  Company  during  the  war. 

Calmus,  August. 

Carlin,  J.  E.  F.,  on  detached  service  during  the  war. 

*Deavers,  Ira,  at  Five  Forks,  when  the  Regiment  was  cut 
off,  he  secreted  the  « '  Colors "  in  his  breast  and  saved 
them. 

Duffey,  John  H. 

Dozier,  Melville,  detached  from  Company  as  a  courier  for 
General . 

Darley,  Charles,  lost  his  arm  by  an  accident  in  Richmond. 

Godwin,  James,  wounded  at  Seven  Pines,  and  afterwards 
detailed  on  account  of  wounds. 

Gardner,  Wm.  F.,. promoted  Lieutenant  Company  H  after 
battles  around  Richmond,  1862;  wounded  at  Second 
Manassas;  acting  Adjutant  of  the  Regiment  at  the  time; 
detached  as  Adjutant,  Post  at  Staunton,  on  account  of 
wound,  until  appointed  Chaplain  of  Twenty-fourth  Vir 
ginia. 

Howell,  Emory,  on  detached  service  in  Richmond. 

Hough,  Lewis  E.,  on  detached  service  at  Post  Office  Depart 
ment,  Richmond,  Virginia ;  since  dead. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         297 

Hough,  Harrie,  transferred  to  Company  A  while  at  York- 
town. 
*Hall,  Wm.  J.,  wounded  at  Seven  Pines;  wounded  in  four 

places  at  battle  of  Sharpsburg;  on  detached  service  there 
after. 
*Higdon,  Wm.  J.,  on  detailed  service:  voluntarily  entered 

battle  of  Seven  Pines,  and  was  killed. 
Hurdle,  A.  U.,  detached  in  Richmond  on  account  of  ill 

health;  since  dead. 
Hunter,  Chas.  E.,  shot  himself  accidentally  at   battle  of 

Drury's  Bluff. 

Heiss,  Fred.  S.,  discharged  in  1862  as  an  alien. 
Holland,  Wm.  J.,  transferred  to  Maryland  Line. 
*  Jordan,  J.  Pendleton,  wounded  in  the  battle  of  Frazier's 

Farm  in  two  places. 

Kid  well,  Wm.  F.,  with  his  Company  during  the  war. 
Kidwell,  Robert. 
Kinsloe,  Owen,  on  detached  service  with  Quartermaster's 

Department  during  the  war. 
Krouse,  John  E.,  disabled  while  cutting  wood,  and  put  on 

detached  service. 
*Kelly,  Thomas,  with  his  Company  during  the  war  and  in 

all  the  battles. 
*Lovelace,  Wm.  A. ,  promoted  to  Sergeant  Company  H ; 

killed  at  Second  Manassas. 
*Lunt,  Wm.  H. ,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines ;  a  noble 

soldier. 

*Lannon,  Patrick,  killed  at  Williamsburg. 
Latham,  R.  M.,  with  Company  until  1863;  discharged  on 

account  of  injury. 
*Mills,  John  T.,  killed  at  Drury's  Bluff;  distinguished  for 

bravery. 


298  HISTORY  OF  THE 

*Murray,  John  S.,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines. 

Murray,  Chas.  H. 

Miller,  Fred.  W.,  on  detached  service  until  1864,  with 
Company  thereafter. 

Murphy,  James,  entered  Cavalry  service. 

McKeown,  Nicholas,  discharged  1862;  over  age. 

Mankin,  Oscar,  wounded  at  Second  Manassas,  afterwards 
transferred  to  Cavalry. 

Moore,  Frederick,  on  detached  service;  since  dead. 

Plain,  B.  K  ,  with  his  Company  during  the  war. 

Padgett,  Benjamin,  died  at  Culpeper  Court  House  from 
disease,  1862. 

Paul,  Rob't  C.,  transferred  to  Company  A,  at  Yorktown. 

Pattie,  John  H. 

Pitts,  Henry  S.,  wounded  at  Williamsburg. 

Riley,  J.  P.,  wounded  at  first  Manassas,  in  hand. 

Roxbury,  Edward,  with  his  Company  during  the  war. 

Simmons,  Jos.  F. 

Summers,  George  W.,  wounded  at  Sailor's  Creek. 

Smith,  S.  D.,  wounded  at  Dinwiddie  Court  House. 

Smith,  James  M.,  on  detached  service. 

Suit,  John,  on  detached  service. 

Summers,  W.,  on  detached  service,  with  Ordnance  Depart 
ment,  during  the  war. 

Sutherland,  Lee,  transferred  to  Maryland  Artillery,   1863. 

Sowers,  James  K.,  entered  Cavalry  service ;  since  killed. 

Sedwick,  William  D.,  transferred  to  Cavalry. 

Taylor,  Robert  J. 

Taylor,  George  W. 

Tatsapaugh,  William  H.,  discharged,  1862;  over  age. 

*Terret,  William,  killed  in  front  of  Cold  Harbor. 

Travers,  John,  transferred  to  iron-clad  at  Kingston,  1864. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.        299 

White,  B.  C.,  promoted  Sergeant  Company  H ;  with  his 
Company  during  the  war. 

Whiting,  Charles,  transferred  to  Cavalry. 

Warfield,  Edgar,  on  detached  service  with  Medical  Depart 
ment;  was  at  surrender 

Wall,  Augustus,  with  his  Company  during  the  war. 

Withers,  John  B.,  entered  the  Cavalry  service. 

*Watkins,  James  H.,  wounded  at  Five  Forks. 

Wood,  Francis,  entered  Artillery  service. 

Whitely,  William,  discharged,  1862;  overage. 

Williamson,  James  A,,  with  his  Company  during  the  war. 

Wise,  Frank,  on  detached  service ;  elected  Captain  of  local 
defence  Company,  1864. 

Young,  Robert,  with  his  Company  during  the  war ;  present 
at  surrender ;  went  down  with  ship  Santee,  December  30, 
1869. 

Patrick,  John  H.,  transferred  to  Maryland  Line. 


NAMES  OF  MEN  WHO  JOINED  COMPANY 
H,  AFTER  SEPTEMBER  1,  1861. 

*Ballenger,  Frank,  killed  in  the  battle  of  second  Manassas. 
Deavers,  Barney,  with  his  Company  during  the  war. 
Fewell,  Rodie,  with  his  Company  during  the  war. 
*Fewell,  Haydon,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Frazier's  Farm. 
Howell,  Asbury,  joined  Company  in  1864;  wounded   at 

Five  Forks. 
Milburn,  J.  C.,  joined  Company  in  1862 ;  was  present  at 

surrender. 
Price,  Charles. 
Smith,  James,  on  detached  survice  on  on  account  of  ill 

health. 


300  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Sedwick,  Charles,  discharged — under  age. 
Whittington,   Rodie,  killed  at  Seven  Pines ;  joined  Com 
pany  day  previous. 


COMPANY  I. 

("O'CONNEL    GUARDS.") 

*S.  W.  Prestman,  Captain,  wounded  at  Blackburn's  Ford ; 
assigned  to  dury  with  Army  of  the  West  in  May,  1862  ; 
accidently  killed  January,  1864. 

*Raymond  Fairfax,  First  Lieutenant;  promoted  Captain, 
April,  1862;  in  command  of  Division  Pioneer  Corps. 

*H.  S.  Wallace,  Second  Lieutenant,  promoted  First  Lieu 
tenant,  April  1862;  in  command  of  Company  through 
the  war ;  since  dead. 

James  E.  Green,  Second  Lieutenant,  not  re-elected  at  re 
organization. 

*John  S.  Hart,  First  Sergeant,  killed  at  Frazier's  Farm. 

James  Southerland,  Second  Sergeant. 

R.  C.  Bell,  Third  Sergeant. 

Michael  Clune,  Fourth  Sergeant. 

Patrick  Creely,  First  Corporal. 

Thomas  Kelleher,  Second  Corporal. 

J.  W.  King,  Third  Corporal. 

J.  Sulivan,  Fourth  Corporal. 


Privates. 


Bluit,  William 
Burmingham,  Thomas. 
Berry,  John. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY. 

Boswell,  James. 

Cornell,  Martin. 

Cully,  Michael. 

Couda,  John. 

Carnell,  W.  A. 

De  Grave,  Antoine. 

Dougherty,  Edward. 

Goushur,  Adam. 

Heard,  John  L. 

Hanriham,  Michael. 

Hanriham,  Thomas. 

Herring,  Thomas. 

Horan,  Timothy. 

Hurley,  Cornelius. 

Kennedy,  Jeremiah. 

Kinnery,  William. 

Kerby,  Thomas. 

Leary,  John,  record  unkown. 

McSherry,  Michael. 

McBride,  Michael. 

Murphy,  Dennis,  lost  an  arm  in  the  battle  of  Blackburn'* 

Ford;  a  good  soldier. 
McMahon,  Michael,  record  unknown. 
Murray,  William,  record  unknown. 
McCormic,  Patrick,  record  unknown. 
Mahar,  Edward,  record  unknown. 
McGuire,  Owen,  record  unknown. 
Noland,  John,  record  unknown. 
O'Hair,  Michael,  record  unknown. 
Phalin,  James,  record  unknown. 
Quigljj  Patrick,  record  unknown. 
Ryan,  John,  promoted  Corporal  Company  I. 
26 


302  BISTORT  OF  THE 

Ryan,  Timothy,  record  unknown. 
Rosa,  Frederick,  record  unknown. 
Slemmer,  John,  record  unknown. 
Slember,  Benjamin,  record  unknown. 
Shennessy,  Simon,  record  unknown. 
Tierney,  Michael,  record  unknown 
Townsend,  George,  record  unknown. 
Whalin,  James,  record  unknown. 
Conners,  Owen,  record  unknown. 


NAMES  OF  MEN  WHO  JOINED  COMPANY 
I,  AFTER  SEPTEMBER  1st,  1861. 

*R.  C.  Paul,  Lieutenant,  promoted  Lieutenant  Company  I 
from  Company  A;  wounded  at  Dinwiddie  Court  House. 

*George  C.  Adie,  Lieutenant,  promoted  Lieutenant  Com 
pany  I,  April,  1862;  wounded  at  Seven  Pines;  killed 
at  Frazier's  Farm. 

Ryan,  Patrick,  wounded  at  Seven  Pines. 

*0'Shea,  Thomas,  made  Lieutenant  Company  I,  from  Com 
pany  F. 

COMPANY  K. 

("WARKENTON    RIFLES.") 

B.  H.  Shackelford,  Captain,  discharged  on  account  of  wound 

received  at  Blackburn's  Ford. 
J.  W.  McGee,  First  Lieutenant,  made  Captain,  vice  B.  H. 

Shackelford^  served  with  distinction  till  April,  1862. 
H.  C.  Withers,  Second  Lieutenant,  honorably  discharged  in 

fall  of  1861. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.         3Q3 

S.  C.  Lindsay,  Third  Lieutenant,  resigned  September,  1861 

— ill  health. 

David  C.  Graham,  First  Sergeant. 

*A.  M.  Brodie,  Second  Sergeant,  made  Lieutenant  Com 
pany  K,  April,  1862;  wounded  at  Seven  Pines. 
J.  H.  F.  Tompkins,  Third  Sergeant,  made  Lieutenant  at 

Fairfax  Court  House,  afterwards  honorably  discharged. 
John  E.  Turner,   Fourth   Sergeant,    made   Lieutenant   at 

Fairfax  Court  House,  afterwards  transferred. 
Hugh  T.  Kemper,  First  Corporal. 
William  Lear,    Second   Corporal,    transferred   to    another 

service. 
John  Beckham,  Third  Corporal,  made  Sergeant  Company 

K,  thereafter  Lieutenant  in  Irish  Battalion. 
L.  E.  Hamme,  Fourth  Corporal,   on  detached  service  in 

Medical  Department. 

Privates. 

Allen,  Henry,  discharged — cause  and  date  not  known. 

Allison,  B.  S. 

Bragg,  Wm.  M.,  transferred  to  Mosby's  command;  died  in 

prison. 

Bragg,  Chas.  P.,  transferred  to ;  date  not  known. 

Bennett,  H.  T.,  made  Corporal  Company  K. 

Brooks,  Thos.  D.' 

Brigges,  Henry  C. ,  transferred  to  First  Regiment  Engineer 

Troops ;  wounded  at  Druty's  Bluff. 
Cologne,  J.  A.  C.,  made  Sergeant  Company  K. 
Cromwell^O. 

Cole,  Francis  M.,  discharged — cause  and  date  not  known. 
Cole,  Jos.  N.,  discharged — cause  and  date  not  known. 

Carter,  C.  S.,  transferred  to ;  date  not  known. 

Day,  Henry. 


304  .  HISTORY  OF  THE 

Digges,  Geo.  W.,  discharged  on  account  of  ill  health. 
*Digges,  Chas.  W.  Jr.,  made  Color  Corporal  Seventeenth 

Virginia ;  wounded  at  Seven  Pines,  thereafter  transferred 

to  Cavalry  and  made  Lieutenant. 
*Embrey,  A.  G.,  killed  before  second  Cold  Harbor. 
Edmonds,  Elias,  wounded   at  ,  and  discharged   in 

consequence. 

Fisher,  James  A.,  made  First  Sergeant  Company  G. 
Fisher,  John  E.,  wounded  at  Seven  Pines,  thereafter  unfit 

for  duty. 

Fletcher,  Robert  H. 
Fletcher,  Harrison. 
Florance,  Benj.,  made  Corporal  Company  K. 

Fletcher,  Albert,  on  detached  service  with = — . 

Francis,  A.  B.,  made  Color  Corporal;  wounded  at  Din- 

widdie  Court  House. 
Fant,  John  E.  P. 

Field,  W.  H.,  died;  date  not  known. 
Frankland,  W.  E.,  transferred  to  Mosby's  command;  made 

a  Captain. 

Foster,  Wm.  G.,  made  Sergeant  of  Company  K;  on  de 
tached  service. 

Fletcher,  Edwin,  wounded  at  the  battle  of  Second  Manassas. 
Golway,  Wm.,  discharged — cause  and  date  not  known. 
Groves,  R.  H.,  made   Corporal  -Company X ;   died  from 

disease.  ;      •  * 

Hughlett,  R.  K.,  discharged — <ftuse  and  date  not  known. 
Hughes,  Geo.  N.,  made  Sergeant  Company  K. 
Harris,  Albert,  wounded  at  Hewlett's  house.       ^ 
Hope,  Jas.  W.,  died;  date  not  known. 
Hoffman,  0.,  wounded  at  Suffolk,  thereafter  discharged. 
Hansbrough,  P.  C. 
Hansbrough,  John  G. 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY.  305 

Jeffries,  Fred. 

Jeffries,  J.  A.,  on  detached  service. 

Jenkins,  Geo.  P.,  wounded  at 


Jones,  Eicon,  transferred  to  Signal  Corps;  made  a  Captain. 
Kemper,  Geo.  N. 
Klceber,  C.  C. 

*Kirby,  James  D.,  made  Second  Lieutenant  Company  K; 
at  reorganization  elected  Captain ;  wounded  at  Dinwiddie 
Court  House ;  present  at  surrender. 
*Kane,  Thos.  F.,  killed  in  the  battle  of  Seven  Pines. 
Leitz,  George. 

Lear,  Alpheus,  transferred  to . 

*Love,  Robert,  killed  at  Seven  Pines. 

McConchie,  B.  F.,  discharged;  date  not  known. 

McLearen,  T.  C.,  discharged;  date  not  known. 

McClanahan,  Geo.  W. 

Mcllhany,  Hugh  M.,  transferred  to ,  and  made  a 

Lieutenant. 

Moore,  Jos.  E.,  on  detached  service. 
Mooney,  N.  R. 
Mooney,  G.  T.,  wounded  at  Drury's  Bluff. 

Mclntosh,  C.  R.,  wounded  at . 

Murray,  Thomas  J. ,  made  Sergeant  Company  K,  afterwards 

Lieutenant  of  Irish  Battalion. 
Marshall,  Robert   T.,  transferred  to  Louisiana   Artilleryf 

killed. 

Minter,  William  H.,  wounded  at . 

Nelson,  Joseph  H. ,  transferred  to  Mosby's  Command ;  made 

a  Lieutenant. 
Norris,<^V.  C.,  Jr.,  on  detached  service  with  Ordnance 

Department. 
Parkinson,  John  W.,  discharged — date  not  known. 

26* 


306  SIS  TORT  OF  THE 

Pattie,  James  S. 

*Pemberton,  J.  0.,  wounded  at  Williamsburg,  and  on  Hew 
lett's  Line. 

Payne,  "Richards,  Jr.,  made  Sergeant  Company  K,  there 
after  a  Lieutenant  in  Irish  Battalion. 

Payne,  Richard,  killed  at  Williamsburg. 

*Payne,  Henry,  wounded  at  Seven  Pines. 

Reynolds,  L.  H.,  discharged — cause  and  date  not  known. 

Saunders,  T.  B.,  badly  wounded  at  Suffolk,  and  discharged. 

Sedwick,  John  F.,  transferred  to . 

Smith,  Edwin,  made  Captain  and  Assistant  Commissary 
Forty -ninth  Virginia  Regiment,  September,  1861. 

Smith,  John  J. 

Smith,  Norman  E.,  transferred  to  Mosby's  Command ;  made 
Lieutenant;  killed. 

Singleton,  James  A.,  wounded  at  Williamsburg,  and  cap 
tured. 

Suddith,  P.  H.,  wounded  at . 

Sinclair,  A.  Gr.,  discharged  on  account  of  wound  received  at 
Blackburn's  Ford. 

Suddith,  R.  A. 

Spilman,  William  M.,  badly  wounded  at  Williamsburg. 

*Slaughter,  Lewis,  elected  Lieutenant  Company  K,  April, 
1862 ;  served  till  close  of  war. 

Smith,  Albert,  made  Adjutant  of  the  Thirty-eighth  Virginia 
Regiment, 

*Stanfield,  H.  A.  R.,  made  Sergeant  Company  K;  killed 
at  Drury's  Bluff. 

Stout,  James  H.,  assigned  to  light  duty;  ill  health. 

Tapp,  H.  J. 

Thomas,  J.  P.,  made  Corporal  Company  K. 

White,  Frank,  transferred  to . 


SEVENTEENTH  VIRGINIA  INFANTRY,         3Q7 

Weaver,  II.  A.,  died — date  not  known. 

Walden,  R.  E.,  wounded  at . 

Weaver,  M.  A. 

Wall,  William,  transferred  to . 

Withers,  A.  F. 

Whitescarrer,  Gr.  H.,  made  Sergeant  Company  K;  trans 
ferred  to  Mosby;  made  a  Lieutenant;  killed. 
Washington,  Mason. 


NAMES  OF  MEN  WHO  JOINED  COMPANY 
K;  AFTEK  SEPTEMBEE  1,  1861. 

Day,  Alexander,  died — date  not  known. 


USTOTIE]- 

The  following  Statement  did  not  receive  its  proper  place  in  the 
first  pages  of  this  record,  because  of  ignorance  of  the  subject.  The 
writer  takes  pleasure  in  giving  it  space  at  this  late  day,  (a  number 
of  pages  of  this  work  having  been  printed  before  his  attention  was 
called  to  it,)  and  hopes  the  readers  of  these  pages  will  appreciate 
his  feelings  and  join  with  him  in.  regrets  because  of  its  omission.— 
"  Better  late  than  never." 


STATEMENT. 

The  Loudoun  Guards,  (Company  C,)  and  the  War 
ren  Kifles,  (Company  B,)  were  engaged  with  the 
Alexandria  Battalion  in  the  irksome  duty  of  guarding 
the  city  of  Alexandria  previous  to  its  evacuation. 
These  companies  were  present  when  the  Federal 
troops  entered,  and  they  marched  out  Duke  street, 
wilh  the  Battalion,  on  the  memorable  24th  of  May, 
1861. 

They  were  earnest,  zealous  co-workers  in  the  cause, 
and  are  entitled  to  equal  credit  with  the  Alexandria 
companies. 


(308) 


CONTENTS. 


ALEXANDRIA. 

Signs  of  the  times ;  Organization  of  Volunteer  companies ; 
Formation  of  the  Alexandria  Battalion ;  The  22d  of  February, 
1861 ;  The  fall  of  Sumter ;  The  first  Infantry  pickets ;  Excitement 
increasing ;  The  evacuation  of  Alexandria ;  Jackson  and  Ellsworth; 
The  morning  of  the  24th  of  May  ;  Arrival  of  the  Battalion  at  Ma- 
nassas  Junction. 

MANASSAS. 

Activity  in  the  North  and  South ;  The  Station ;  Organization  of 
the  Seventeenth  Virginia  Infantry ;  Beauregard  arrives  and  takes 
command ;  Approach  of  the  enemy ;  Seventeenth  Virginia  takes 
position  on  Bull  Run ;  are  attacked ;  the  battle,  official  report  and  list 
of  killed  and  wounded;  The  battle  of  Manassas;  Alexandria 
Artillery ;  Rout  of  the  Federals ;  Company  H  ;  Sights  and  Scenes 
on  the  Battle  Field ;  An  amusing  incident,  in  which  an  Alexan 
drian  gets  the  worse  of  a  ruff  and  tumble  fight;  "  A  Graphic  Pic 
ture  ;  ' '  Thomas  Sangster ;  The  Camp  at  Fairfax  Court  House ; 
Address  of  Generals  Johnston  and  Beauregard  to  the  Army. 

FALLS  CHURCH,  UPTON'S  AND  MUNSON'S  HILLS. 

Pickets  to  the  front ;  Strength  of  the  Seventeenth  Virginia ;  Trip 
to  Lewinsville  ;  Review  of  troops  by  President  Jefferson  Davis  ; 
General  Order  No.  17 ;  Fairfax  Court  House  abandoned ;  Center- 
ville ;  A  curiosity ;  Digging  and  ditching ;  Presentation  of 
"Flags  "  to  the  Virginia  regiments;  A  forsaken  looking  camp; 
Picket  duty ;  Winter  Quarters ;  Division  drill ;  The  battle  near 
Dranesville;  Eleventh  Virginia  Regiment;  "Pine  Top;"  New 
year ;  Centerville  abandoned. 

(309) 


310  CONTENTS. 

THE  PENINSULA. 

.  The  departure  from  Orange  Court  House ;  On  the  march ;  York- 
town  ;  Reorganization  of  the  Seventeenth  Virginia  Infantry ;  The 
retreat  from  Yorktown ;  The  battle  of  Williamsburg ;  Official 
reports ;  The  return  from  the  Peninsula ;  Affairs  in  and  around 
Richmond ;  Blockade  running. 

THE  "BATTLES  AROUND  RICHMOND." 
The  night  before  the  battle ;  Seven  Pines ;  Official  reports ;  Heroic 
action  on  the  field  ;  Burial  in  the  midst  of  strife ;  Return  to  camp  ; 
Preparations  for  the  ' '  Seven  days  battles  ; ' '  Mechanicsville  ; 
Ludicrous  scene ;  In  pursuit ;  Gainses'  Mill ;  Stonewall  Jackson ; 
Slaughter  of  the  enemy ;  A  breakfast  in  the  saddle ;  McClellan 
falls  back ;  Frazier's  Farm ;  Official  reports  ;  Battle  of  Malvern 
Hill;  Harrison's  Bend,  and  return  to  camp. 

FROM  RICHMOND  TO  THE  POTOMAC. 

Ride  to  Gordonsville  ;  Marching  and  countermarching  ;  Passage 
of  the  Rappahannock ;  On  to  Manassas ;  A  halt  and  its  conse 
quences  ;  The  Plains  ;  At  Thoroughfare  Gap ;  Jackson  fighting 
the  enemy ;  Going  into  position ;  Second  battle  of  Manassas ; 
Official  reports  ;  Further  particulars ;  Chantilly  ;  A  feast ;  March 
to  the  Potomac ;  On  to  Maryland. 

THE  MARYLAND  CAMPAIGN. 

On  the  march ;  Battle  of  South  Mountain ;  Official  reports ; 
Sharpsburg ;  The  cooks  of  the  Regiment ;  The  Regiment ;  Official 
report ;  Recrossing  the  Potomac  ;  An  amusing  scene  ;  Camp  near 
Hopewell  Meeting  House  ;  The  march  to  Culpeper ;  In  camp  ;  On 
the  march  ;  Fredericksburg  ;  Comments. 

FREDERICKSBURG  AND  THE  WINTER  CAMPAIGN. 

The  promotion  of  Colonel  Corse ;  His  Brigade ;  Signal  guns ; 
Burnside  effects  a  crossing ;  The  battle  of  Fredericksburg ;  Scenes 
and  incidents  ;  The  field  ;  The  position  of  the  Confederates ;  Losses ; 
Quiet  restored  ;  The  Second  Christmas ;  Mr.  Jonah  White  ;  Orders; 
The  march ;  Return ;  Confiscation,  and  its  effects  ;  The  march  to 
Richmond;  Lost  in  a  snow-storm;  Chester  station;  Petersburg; 
The  Regiment  marches  to  Ivor ;  The  preparation  for  a  move ;  Our 
condition. 


CONTENTS.  311 

SUFFOLK,  AND  THE  MARCH  TO  WINCHESTER. 
The  Blackwater;  Crossing;  Suffolk;  The  Confederates  lay 
siege  to  Suffolk  ;  The  fight  on  the  White  Marsh  road ;  Position 
of  our  troops  ;  Sundry  fights  ;  Orders  to  march  ;  We  quietly  with 
draw;  The  march  to  Falling  Creek;  The  death  of  Lt.  Gen  J.  T. 
Jackson ;  On  the  march  ;  A  scouting  expedition  while  at  Suffolk  ; 
Complimentary  order;  The  three  Generals;  The  expedition  into 
King  and  Queen ;  Return  ;  Bridge  guarding  ;  A  long  tramp  ;  The 
ride  to  Gordonsville  ;  The  fight  at  the  South  Anna  bridge  ;  Back 
to  Richmond;  To  Gordonsville  again ;  Camp ;  On  the  march  ;  The 
Blue  Ridge  ;  Winchester  at  last. 

THE   BATTLE    OF   MANASSAS   GAP;    ONE   MONTH  IN 
TENNESSEE  AND  WINTER  OF  1863  AND  1864. 

Break  camp;  The  .march  to  the  Gap;  The  battle;  Clearing  the 
way ;  Camps  near  Culpeper  ;  Lt.  Scott  Roy's  escape  from  capture  ; 
A  change  of  camp  ;  On  the  march  ;  Again  at  Petersburg ;  Embark 
for  Tennessee  ;  The  ride  ;  Pleasures  by  the  way  ;  Zollicoffer  ;  A 
small  skirmish  ;  Incidents  ;  The  return  to  Virginia  ;  17th  Va.  sent 
to  Ivor  ;  The  "  Blackwater  Line  ;  "  The  Norfolk  Refugees  ;  Dis 
tribution  of  salt;  A  move,  and  what  became  of  it  ;  Lt.  Roy's  es 
cape  from  Fort  Norfolk  ;  At  Petersburg ;  North  Carolina ;  Return 
to  Virginia. 

THE  BATTLES  OF  FLAT  CREEK  AND  DRURY'S 
BLUFF. 

The  situation  around  Petersburg ;  On  the  cars  ;  Flat  Creek ; 
Are  hurried  back  to  Petersburg;  The  battle  of  Drury's  Bluff; 
Casualties;  Maj.  R.  H.  Simpson;  Formation  of  the  Hewlett's 
Line  ;  The  trip  to  Penola ;  Corse's  Brigade  attempt  the  capture  of 
Hancock's  Corps  ;  Movements  of  the  Army ;  The  lines  at  Cold 
Harbor. 

THE  SUMMER  OF  1864. 

The  Howlett's  Line  recaptured;  Position  of  General  Grant's 
army;  Explosion  of  a  mine  in  front  of  Petersburg;  The  battle 
following;  General  Mahone ;  Losses,  &c.;  The  troops;  Destruction 
of  a  sap ;  Heavy  fighting  on  the  Northside  ;  Battles  below  Peters 
burg;  Christian  Association  organized  on  the  Howlett's  Line; 


312  CONTENTS. 

Dutch  Gap ;  "Old  Pete;"  Butler ;  Effects  of  trench  life  upon  the 
Confederates. 

THE  WINTER  OF  '64  AND  '65. 

The  situation  ;  Winter  quarters  on  the  Hewlett's  Line  ;  General 
Grant's  efforts  on  the  Northside  ;  Church  building ;  Prayer  meet 
ings  ;  Rations  ;  Desertions  ;  Picket  firing  and  Negro  troops  ;  Con 
firmation  by  Bishop  Johns  ;  Christmas  ;  Dinner  for  New  Year ; 
Dinner  for  General  Lee's  Army ;  Orders  to  march ;  Fort  Gilmer 
and  the  situation  on  the  Northside ;  Torpedoes  ;  Return  to  Hew 
lett's  Line  ;  General  R.  E.  Lee. 

THE  LAST  MONTH'S  CAMPAIGN. 

Pickett's  Division  vacate  the  Hewlett's  Line  ;  Federal  raiders  ; 
Marching  and  countermarching  of  the  Seventeenth  Virginia  ;  Ar 
rival  at  Hanover  Junction ;  Return  to  Richmond ;  The  charge 
upon  and  capture  of  Fort  Steadman  by  Generals  Gordon's  and 
Johnson's  Divisions  ;  Confederates  are  forced  to  retire  ;  Ride  and 
march  of  the  Seventeenth  Virginia  to  the  right  of  General  Lee's 
lines ;  Preparation  for  battle ;  Ladies  and  children  in  danger ; 
The  battle  of  Dinwiddie  Court  House  ;  The  wounded  ;  How  the 
Confederates  missed  a  feast  at  Dinwiddie  ;  "  Seventeenth." 

THE  CLOSING  SCENES. 

Preparation  for  battle ;  The  battle  of  Five  Forks,  in  which  the 
Cavalry  out  do  the  Infantry  ;  Ira  Deavers  and  our  Flag ;  The  news 
of  the  evacuation  of  Petersburg ;  A  surprise  ;  A  long  train  for  a 
few  men  to  guard  ;  The  passage  of  Deep  creek  ;  Evacuation  of  Rich 
mond  ;  Harrassed  by  Federal  Cavalry  ;  Suffering  increasing  ;  The 
battle  of  Sailor's  creek;  Panic  at  High  Bridge,  &c.,  &c.  ;  The 
Confeds  led  on  by  hunger,  charge  the  Commissary  Stores  and  gain 
a  victory ;  Death  of  horses  and  mules  from  starvation ;  Wagons 
destroyed ;  Provisions  for  the  Confederates  destroyed  by  the  Fed 
erals  at  Concord  Station ;  The  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  hemmed 
in ;  Appomattox  Court  House  ;  Escape  of  General  Fitz.  Lee's 
Cavalry  ;  The  surrender;  General  Lee's  farewell  address. 

MEMENTOS. 

John  Q.  Marr  ;  Stealing  a  grave  ;  Little  Luly ;  "The  warrior's 
grave;"  Colonel  S.  W.  Prestman  ;  "In  memoriam  ;  "  Thos.  V. 
Fit/hugh;  The  muster  roll  of  the  17th  Virginia  Volunteers. 


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